Reo Hatate has dazzled in flashes, consistency is now crucial | OneFootball

Reo Hatate was once a nailed-on selection under Brendan Rodgers, making his current struggles this season all the more surprising…

Reo Hatate. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The midfielder has always been something of a patchy player—capable of moments of brilliance, but equally prone to periods of inconsistency.

That pattern has followed him throughout his time at Celtic, from being initially overshadowed by David Turnbull when Rodgers first arrived, to needing time to build the resilience that allowed him to last full 90-minute matches.

Last season, before a late injury at Pittodrie, Hatate played every game for the club, showing the level of durability he had developed.

Reo Hatate. Hearts v Celtic, 26 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

This season, however, things have not gone to plan. While Rodgers continued to select him despite a slow start, the landscape changed once Martin O’Neill took interim charge. O’Neill has found a new balance in midfield, with Arne Engels protecting Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren taking on a more advanced role, pushing Hatate onto the bench.

Hatate may also have been affected by speculation about his future at Celtic. Now in his fifth campaign, he could have been considering, if not expecting, a move away this summer, which may have impacted his form. The loss of Greg Taylor’s inverting full-back role has also forced Hatate into slightly different positions, further complicating his rhythm.

Reo Hatate. Dundee v Celtic. 19 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

A big concern for Hatate, of course, is the upcoming World Cup. And those World Cup hopes appear to be slipping further out of reach after he was omitted from the Japan squad for a fourth consecutive time.

Hatate was initially limited to a place on the bench during the extra-time League Cup Cup semi-final win over theRangers at the weekend. Now, he has once again been overlooked by his country, missing out on selection for Japan’s upcoming Kirin Cup fixtures against Ghana and Bolivia in Toyota and Tokyo next week.

Celtic teammate Daizen Maeda has been included, and looks almost certain to secure a place at next year’s World Cup, but Hatate faces a growing battle to make the final squad after losing his regular spot. The 27-year-old earned the last of his 11 caps in March against Saudi Arabia during a World Cup qualifier and hasn’t featured since.

Reo Hatate of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Being overlooked for the national team this cycle will be tough to take, but he shouldn’t give up hope. He remains a very talented footballer, and Celtic’s evolving midfield could yet provide an opening. Nygren, while impressive in the advanced role, is not always consistent—either within a single match or across a series of games. That inconsistency could give Hatate the chance to rotate in and prove himself in an attacking role, rather than as part of the double pivot, which may suit his skillset better.

If he can seize the opportunity and show the kind of form that made him indispensable under Rodgers, the World Cup dream may not be over. But, as has often been the case in his Celtic career, Hatate will need to demonstrate one thing above all, consistency.

Reo Hatate in action. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

So, for Hatate, the next few weeks are crucial. Opportunities may well remain limited, but if he can combine his natural flair with the consistency that has so often slipped through his fingers, he could yet reclaim his place at Celtic and keep his World Cup ambitions alive. The talent is there, now it’s a question of timing, form, and taking his opportunity when it arrives.

For a player who has dazzled in flashes before, this could be the moment to turn potential into lasting impact. It is therefore not just a crucial moment in the season, it is also beginning to look like a crucial period in Reo Hatate’s career.

Niall J

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

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