Brendan Rodgers didn’t end the 2024/25 season as he would have liked.
Celtic were beaten in the Scottish Cup final by Aberdeen, and in truth, it was a deserved loss, with the players rightfully looking and feeling deflated after the match.
It was a flat performance from the champions of Scotland, and one of the reasons why many feel that was the case is that Reo Hatate was injured.
The Japan star injured his knee during Celtic’s thumping win at Pittodrie only weeks before the final after a very poor challenge from Pape Gueye.
And many feared the worst…
Frank McAvennie on Reo Hatate’s injury recovery
Not only is Hatate back in pre-season, but the all-action midfielder is also finding the back of the net, as he proved during Celtic’s defeat to Estrela da Amadora over the weekend.
This has shocked Frank McAvennie because he was expecting the 27-year-old to be out of action ‘until Christmas’.
Either way, speaking on his Let Me Be Frank Podcast, McAvennie thinks Hatate’s recent injury proved that he was a bigger miss than Callum McGregor.
“My delight was, I thought Hatate was out until the winter, and he is playing,” said McAvennie.
On if Hatate is Celtic’s most important player: “I think so. He was well missed when he was out. I thought he was going to be out until Christmas. That was the rumour, so I am delighted he is back. Scored a goal as well.
“I think we missed Hatate, this time, more than we did when Callum (McGregor) was out. The two of them are great engines for the team.”
No excuses for Arne Engels next to Hatate and Callum McGregor
There are two places in Celtic’s midfield which are locked down, and they are taken by Hatate and captain McGregor.
Whilst Arne Engels was also a regular last season, the club’s record transfer divided opinion, and he is going to have a lot of pressure on his shoulders ahead of the new campaign.
But with Hatate and McGregor beside him, he doesn’t have any excuses, and he should take his game to the next level.
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