2025 World Open snooker champion John Higgins has taken aim at Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda for ‘throwing in the towel’ at Celtic.
Higgins is a self-confessed Celtic fan and has said that while both players have been poor this season, Hatate is the player that needs to be dropped.
The Japan duo have been off-form this season as the effects of failed transfer moves away from Celtic weigh heavy on Maeda and, to a certain extent, Hatate.
You can only keep one of Daizen Maeda or Reo Hatate at Celtic…
Who do you pick?
But speaking about the race for the title, Higgins explains why Maeda must be included in Celtic’s starting line-up despite looking like a different player this season.
John Higgins says Celtic duo Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have ‘thrown in the towel’
For a player, being accused of quitting on your teammates must be a tough one to take, but that’s exactly what Higgins thinks as he assesses how Celtic try and win the title this season.
Higgins told talkSPORT, “It’s tough and I don’t know how you could call it. I’m just hoping it’s going to be Martin [O’Neill] that makes the difference and gets the players over the line.
“Because I don’t think they’re playing great, the team. A couple of players have just fallen off a cliff, like Hatate.
“I love Hatate as a player, obviously, all the rumours were he was wanting to leave. It’s as if he’s just thrown the towel in. Maeda as well.
“But I think you’ve got to play Maeda. I don’t think you can play Hatate. I think you need legs in that midfield because it’s getting overrun.
“Hopefully the Ox is going to be the difference.”
Reo Hatate’s Celtic form
Hatate took Scottish football by storm and his first six months at Celtic was a complete whirlwind as he destroyed the likes of Rangers and Hearts.
At this moment in time, the Japanese midfielder looks disinterested and demotivated, and if he really wants that summer move, Hatate is not doing himself any favours.
The midfielder has an opportunity to win that move now that Arne Engels’ injury is keeping him out of the Celtic team for the next six weeks.
Will Hatate rise to that challenge? Looking at his performance in Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock, it looks unlikely.
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