James McFadden lauds Celtic trio who have come to life after Martin O’Neill’s spell in charge

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Many wished Martin O’Neill’s interim spell in charge of Celtic had lasted longer.

It was going so well, including Celtic closing in on Premiership leaders Hearts and picking up their first win on the road in Europe.

But Wilfried Nancy was going to come in sooner rather than later, and he will find that several of these Celtic players are in a different headspace compared to when Brendan Rodgers left in October.

Three of them include Reo Hatate, Arne Engels and winger Yang, as James McFadden wanted to give the Celtic trio their flowers.

• READ MORE: Charlie Mulgrew disagrees with Callum McGregor decision but accepts Celtic man ‘has his reasons’

Which player has impressed you the most since Martin O’Neill took over?

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Reo Hatate, Yang and Arne Engels’ performances during Martin O’Neill’s Celtic spell

Hatate is back to his best, and it’s one of the best things O’Neill has done because the Japan star has looked nowhere near his best in recent times.

Then you have winger Yang, who, according to McFadden, ‘looks like he could be a Celtic player’ now after his past struggles, as he told Open Goal.

And also Celtic’s club-record transfer, Engels, who McFadden feels is now coming to the party by showing his ‘physical’ side.

“Unbelievable job,” said McFadden about O’Neill’s interim spell. “Obviously, the results speak for themselves.

“I know performances haven’t been amazing constantly, but you look at the individual players. Hatate, for me, sensational. I thought he was excellent against Feyenoord as well.

“Yang, looks like he could be a Celtic player. But he still has a threat. Not (against Dundee). The run he makes for the goal. I don’t think he makes that run a few months ago.

“I think Engels as well. Engels looks like the player you thought when you saw him. Big guy. He looks physical. I don’t think he looked so much like that last season.”

Hatate’s ratings under O’Neill

You do wonder what this means for Hatate’s future, and whether he stays at Celtic beyond January, but most importantly, beyond next summer.

A lot will depend on how Nancy does this season, as nothing but winning the Premiership title is going to be accepted.

But under O’Neill’s stewardship, you can’t argue that Hatate’s WhoScored ratings were pretty healthy.

• Vs Falkirk – 6.19 (13 minutes played)
• Vs Rangers – N/A
• Vs FC Midtjylland – 6.6 (21 minutes played)
• Vs Kilmarnock – 7.93 (90 minutes played)
• Vs St Mirren – 6.8 (90 minutes played)
• Vs Feyenoord – 7.4 (83 minutes played)
• Vs Hibernian – 6.78 (77 minutes played)
• Vs Dundee – 7.56 (81 minutes played)