Reo Hatate is under contract at Celtic until 2028 and remains a recognised first-team midfielder, yet his recent absence from key matches has become impossible to ignore.
Celtic are now operating in the part of the season where selection decisions are no longer flexible. Every choice reflects what the manager trusts when the outcome matters most.
Hatate has remained part of the squad picture, but his visibility on the pitch has dropped across successive matches. That shift has happened quietly, but it has been consistent.
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Selection patterns now define Celtic’s title run-in
Martin O’Neill haven’t selected Hatate to start in any of the last four matches, and even then, he has only played 17 minutes in that period.
He watched on from the bench as Celtic beat Falkirk, but the recent pattern shows that this is not a one-off.
Even in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren, O’Neill opted against using Hatate, even though it went to extra-time. He would usually be a banker to come on.
Established status makes the omission more significant
As it stands, the 28-year-old is under contract until 2028, but many expect Hatate to leave in the summer.
His form, too, has been patchy to say the least, too. Hatate impressed at Ibrox but the midfielder failed to capitalise on that.
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In the past, he has been called upon to play a part in the title race, however, this may be the first part of the puzzle in the big rebuild awaiting Celtic this summer.
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