(Credit: Imago, Getty)

Evan Shaw

Sun 1 March 2026 15:30, UK Updated Sun 1 March 2026 16:17, UK

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Celtic launched an eye-catching second-half comeback to earn a 2-2 draw away at Rangers on Sunday.

The Bhoys’ hopes of securing the Scottish Premiership title were in tatters as they headed into the half-time interval two goals behind their bitter rivals, but they turned the game on its head in the second period.

Kieran Tierney’s header got them on the scoresheet in the 56th minute, before Reo Hatate converted his own rebound in stoppage-time, after Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland had saved his penalty.

The midfielder stepped up to provide a significant moment for his team in what has been a disappointing campaign on a personal level, which has prompted his future at Parkhead to be called into question.

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Chris Sutton raves over ‘outstanding’ Reo Hatate

Hatate was introduced into Sunday’s Old Firm Derby as part of a double change at half-time, as Martin O’Neill sent him on alongside Sebastian Tounekti in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Junior Adamu.

Hatate slowly helped the Bhoys to wrestle back some control of the contest, after their hosts had dominated both with and without the ball throughout the opening period.

The 28-year-old was at the heart of everything good about Celtic’s second-half display, as he created two chances, while also recording a 96 per cent passing accuracy during his cameo.

The Japan international has struggled for form throughout the 2025-26 campaign, and his four league goal involvements are a far cry from his influential tally of 14 last term.

His future at the club has been called into question of late, but Sutton couldn’t praise him quickly enough after his contributions helped to salvage a point against Rangers.

The former Bhoys striker labelled Hatate as “outstanding” in a post on his X account after full-time, while he also added that he “may have sulked all season, but showed what a top player he could be.”

Sutton added that Hatate “gave Celtic control” with his performance, and as a result it was clear to see that he felt he played a major role in turning the game on its head.

• Read More: Exclusive: Celtic’s Reo Hatate transfer plan revealed with three weeks left for deal

Sutton hints at wanting Celtic to keep Hatate

Football Insider revealed at the start of February that Celtic had little intention of selling Hatate, amid links with a surprise switch to Palmeiras in the final stages of the Brazilian transfer window.

The Bhoys stood in the way of any suggestion of a departure for their struggling star on that occasion, but that has done little to dispel the idea among fans that his time may be up, with a major turnover expected in the squad ahead of next season.

It remains to be seen whether Celtic will see value in keeping Hatate around beyond the end of the campaign or whether they will instead look to cash in, but Sutton has surely made his view on that debate clear.

The 52-year-old’s lavish praise for the midfielder surely suggests that he still believes he has an important role to play at Celtic Park, even if it came with some criticism about his attitude attached.

Sutton watched Hatate change the game in his former club’s favour on this occasion at Ibrox, but it is hard to argue with the fact that he hasn’t done that enough so far this term.