Brendan Rodgers sang praises for the improved performance of Reo Hatate, hailing him as a top-class player who has finally found clarity and lived up to expectations to evolve into a more complete player. Hatate’s pivotal role in Celtic’s 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock on flag day, where he not only scored the opening goal but also earned the Man of the Match title, was a clear testament to his progress since facing challenges at the beginning of the last season due to injury setbacks.
Rodgers candidly admitted that Hatate initially fell short of his anticipated level of performance, but has since taken his advice on board, showcasing substantial growth and development. The manager expressed his profound satisfaction with the player’s recent outstanding displays, emphasizing the newfound confidence and heightened understanding of his role on the pitch. Despite having previously left Hatate out of the line-up, Rodgers now sees him as a more well-rounded and proficient central midfielder ready to make a significant impact for the team.
While Hatate shone brightly on the field, his compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi encountered adversity after being fouled and ultimately left limping. In response, Rodgers firmly believed that Furuhashi should have been awarded a penalty, highlighting his confidence in the player’s abilities. Amid ongoing transfer negotiations for a new striker to strengthen the squad, Rodgers remains optimistic that the team will soon acquire additional attacking options to complement Kyogo’s prowess in the top-team lineup and enhance their overall performance in upcoming fixtures.
