Reo Hatate: Celtic have ‘one hell of a player on their hands’ after manager reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted Reo Hatate could become “one hell of a player” for Celtic after Wednesday night’s win over Rangers.
The former Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, hailed the 24-year-old’s “calmness and quality” in midfield.
As quoted by Sky Sports on Wednesday (2 February), Ange Postecoglou praised Hatate but revealed he is “nowhere near the levels of fitness that are required”.
The midfielder has made a blistering start to life in Glasgow with three goals in four games.
Whelan admitted Celtic could have a tremendous talent on their hands if Hatate is still working his way up to full fitness.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Postecoglou knew what he was bringing in. He’s a fantastic midfield player, only had three games and had an effect in all of them.
“Scoring two in the derby and setting up one up? I mean, it doesn’t get any better than that.
“You can see the quality when he’s on the ball. He always seems to have that time and space. He gets into great areas in between midfield and defenders where they do not want to go out of their position.
“They’re always looking for him but he’s got that calmness and quality in midfield. I think the two goals that he scored showed that. Not many people would have taken those two shots.
“Look, if he’s not at full fitness yet then Celtic have got one hell of a player on their hands.”
Hatate joined Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale last month.
The Hoops also brought Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda from Japan.
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