Martin O’Neill will kill Celtic’s title chances if he doesn’t axe this player for clash vs Hearts
Celtic are set to take on Hearts on Sunday in their biggest game of the 2025-26 campaign to date.
The Hoops have a chance to close the gap on the Edinburgh side to just three points, as the Jam Tarts remain top of the table.
However, O’Neill must ensure that they get something from Tynecastle, with a defeat being unthinkable if Celtic want to remain in the title race.
As a result, the manager simply has to drop Reo Hatate, especially after his antics against Bologna.
Celtic have to drop Reo Hatate for Hearts clash
While Hatate’s red card against Bologna was unfortunate in many cases, it was still a stupid challenge for the midfielder to commit.
The dismissal ended up costing the Hoops the win, which could come back to haunt the Old Firm side next week when the final game of the Europa League’s league stage takes place.
Celtic went down to 10 men after Reo Hatate picked up a second yellow for this challenge 🟥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2026
Do you believe it was harsh? 🤔
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Yet, his antics would not have been too surprising for the Celtic Park faithful, with Hatate putting in numerous terrible displays this season that have cost the Hoops.
Now, enough is enough, and the Japan international must simply be dropped for the Hearts clash.
This is a game where the Old Firm side will have to be perfect to win, especially with it being hosted at Tynecastle.
Therefore, O’Neill simply has to ensure that Hatate is on the bench or he risks Celtic’s title chances ending in January.
How bad has Hatate been this season?
Looking at his stats on Fotmob on 23 January, Hatate does have some decent attributes.
Per 90 minutes, he is averaging a 0.31 xA, 2.12 chances created, 1.39 shots and 0.07 goals.
However, for a central-midfielder, he is also appalling defensively, winning just 1.10 tackles, 3.14 duels and 0.51 aerial duels.
| Reo Hatate’s Scottish Premiership stats this season | |
| Goals | 0.07 |
| Assists | 0.15 |
| xA | 0.31 |
| Chances created | 2.12 |
| Shots | 1.39 |
| Tackles | 1.10 |
| Duels won | 3.14 |
| Aerial duels won | 0.51 |
With Celtic’s backline being hit and miss this season, O’Neill will be looking towards players like Hatate to step up and help the defence.
Instead, his inability to help out defensively is ultimately costing the Hoops at the moment, with this on show against Bologna on Thursday.
Therefore, it seems that a period on the bench could be best for both parties until his poor form is fixed at Celtic Park.