Aberdeen v Celtic – Reo Hatate could be Top Bhoy at The Pen

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The Celtic Star

·4 February 2026

Aberdeen v Celtic – Reo Hatate could be Top Bhoy at The Pen

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has been a bit off form lately, I think we can all agree on that but he could be our Top Bhoy up at Pittodrie…

Reo Hatate of Celtic FC during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The cultured Japanese playmaker hasn’t been producing the form we all know he’s clearly capable of, but he still has the ability to be a match winner, something he will be itching to prove up at Pittodrie tonight.

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Reo scored on his last outing against the Dons in the Granite City, and also scored the winner in a vital win there last season, meaning he has previous when it comes to performing against the Dons in their own pen, so he could well prove to be a key player for Celtic this evening.

Reo Hatate of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Another factor to take into consideration, is unlike the rest of the squad, the Japanese International isn’t as leg weary due to the demands of European and domestic football, as he of course missed out on last Thursday’s win over Utrecht due to suspension, and only appeared as a sub in Sundays victory over Falkirk, so he will be fresh and raring to go.

Martin O’Neill is well known for his ability to get the best out of players, so hopefully he can do similar with Reo, not just for tonight, but the reminder of the title run in. Yesterday, as Conor Spence reported earlier on The Celtic Star, Martin O’Neill confirmed that he is ready to throw in his three new signings in straight away so we could see something of Junior Amadu, Joel Mvuka and Benjamin Arthur this evening or at the weekend against Dundee in the Scottish Cup tie at Celtic Park.

Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 2-0 lead. Celtic v Dundee United, Scottish Premiership, 10 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Callum McGregor and Arne Engels are surefire bets to start in the middle, and Benjamin Nygren could possibly make up the midfield trio to take on the Dons. But don’t count out Reo who could well start due to his good record against the Pittodrie side.

Benjamin Nygren of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on February 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Benji has been in terrific form, but don’t be surprised if he’s moved out to the right hand side of the attack to accommodate the creativity of Reo.

When Reo’s on top form, he is one of the, if not the best creative player in the country and he’s due to good performance, so hopefully tonight is the night.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order