The emergence of Reo Hatate as a full-back over the last two games has been nothing short of remarkable.
Or maybe it’s not. The Japanese international was well known to have played that position, and well, for his old club Kawasaki Frontale but Ange saw him as a missing piece of our midfield jigsaw when he signed him on Hogmanay last year.
Hatate has been utilised by Postecoglou in the full-back position due to the injury to Ralston and with Juranovic being given a well-deserved World Cup break, the 25 year old stepped in.
And what a job he is doing. Two goals (and almost a hattrick) against St Johnstone was quickly followed up with another superb display against Hibs last night and it had BBC commentator John Rankin raving about him.
Rankin was commenting on the match on BBC Sportsound when he spotted this from Reo Hatate, “Hatate has shown the only example I’ve ever seen of a free role from right back. It’s been unbelievable.
“His starting position is in the right back position and see when Celtic build-up, he almost finds himself in the inside ‘ten’ position.
“Picking up the ball and Celtic are threading it through.
“So it’s impossible for Hibs to defend.
“It is fascinating to watch. He’s coming off the right.
“And Hatate isn’t coming in front of the midfield, he’s actually hiding behind Porteous and Newell to pick up the ball and it’s causing all sorts of problems.
“It’s fascinating to watch.”
Hatate’s through ball to Kyogo for the fourth Celtic goal last night was absolutely sublime and it shows the class of the footballer that he plays any position that the manager wants him to and he still performs to the best of his ability.
I don’t think Hatate will be deployed there on Monday for the Glasgow Derby but looking at his last two performances, would we really be worried if he was?
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