Celtic news: This may be the real problem with Reo Hatate after confession – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Reo Hatate may be suffering from fatigue and burnout after a dazzling start to his Celtic career.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 24-year-old would be feeling the effects of not having a break between the end of the J-League season and his move to Parkhead.
As quoted by Celtic news outlet 67 Hail Hail at a press conference on Sunday (20 March), Ange Postecoglou confessed Hatate has “still got a lot of improvement to do” after some average displays.
He admitted the Japan international is still “adjusting” to Scottish football despite an electric start to life in Glasgow.
Hutton suggested the midfielder will be able to deliver his very best after a proper off-season this summer.
Asked if Hatate was struggling to replicate his high standards from his early performances, Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah, exactly.
“I know how it feels, you got to a new club, you’re that excited you run a million miles. You score a goal and then next minute it’s like: ‘Well, you have to do that every single week.’
“However, I’m pretty sure they came off the back of just finishing their season in Japan. They’ve gone straight into this one and you need to remember that.
“That is very difficult. To finish a season and then, with no rest, go straight into a season where it’s high energy, high aggression, it’s difficult.
“It’s going to take time to adapt and I think he’s done it really well.
“So for him to get through this season, see what happens, then being able to relax, we’ll probably see even better from him next season when he’s rested and recovered.”
In other news, pundit claims Celtic handed “big” boost after double injury blow at Parkhead.