Reo Hatate and Kyogo both so vital for Celtic at Ibrox

The Celtic Star

·28 December 2024

Reo Hatate and Kyogo both so vital for Celtic at Ibrox

Reo Hatate and Kyogo are both so vital to Brendan’s Celtic side with both set to start at Ibrox…

Kyogo, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay

Players like Reo Hatate and Kyogo have come on for some criticism lately, some of it justified and some not, but their appearance from the bench on Boxing Day proved that they are very much a vital part of our side.

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Complete ascendancy

We were in complete ascendancy at the time of their arrival on the pitch, but their mere presence gave the side a lift and we looked a more creative and efficient side with both players on the park.

Kyogo may be struggling a bit in front of goal at the moment, but his all round play is vital to the way we play as a team, so you can say it’s a cert he will be leading the line when we go to Ibrox next week. The fact that he’s also a player for the big occasion further cements his place in the side for this very game.

Reo Hatate celebrates scoring during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. Picture by Mark Runnacles

The same can be said of Reo. His ability to create chances and his eye for goal give him an edge over his competitors in the middle of the park.

Not be firing on all cylinders

Reo, like Kyogo may not be firing on all cylinders at the moment, but he’s a player that gives us something extra in the middle of the park. That ability will also ensure Reo Hatate a starting place come Thursday afternoon at Ibrox.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. (Picture by Mark Runnacles Shutterstock)

Both will have to get through tomorrow’s match against St Johnstone and hopefully we can get the job done in the first half to allow the substitutes to come on to replace starters for Ibrox. Brendan may also choose to do as he did on Boxing Day and keep players like Kyogo and Reo Hatate on the bench against the Perthshire Saints with one eye of the Dead Rubber Derby.

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