Is Hatate good enough? Celtic podcasters send Twitter into meltdown!

Alan Morrison and Juca James have been discussing Reo Hatate’s sub-standard performances and how Celtic need to find a better midfielder.

Their podcast was recorded on 4/1/23 not 1 4 /23. It seems incredible to discuss the issue seriously, yes Hatate could play better like everyone else but in the real world he is an exceptional talent, one that Celtic are fortunate to have.

Hatate has been a professional for three years, he has just completed his first year in European football and showed up well in the Champions League, progressing and developing over the course of six matches.

Morrison and James are big on data, it seems that a couple of spreadsheets have come up with some negative outcomes and on that basis it seems that now is the time to ditch the 25-year-old.

Stats and analysis clearly has a role to play in football but only as a back-up, a support tool. Watching a footballer forms an impression, stats can assist or back things up but can never replace the evidence of watching a player perform.

Judging by the feedback to the clip that was shared on Twitter those sceptical of the stats guys are unlikely to be won over.

?? ?????? ???? ??????? ??

? “I think you can mature as a midfielder.”

This one split the podcast… @Alan_Morrison67 & @jucojames say he has a ceiling, @enda_coll says that his ceiling is high.

Watch the full show ??https://t.co/ixV4auJfV7 pic.twitter.com/6FnhvYylnS

— The Huddle Breakdown (@huddlebreakdown) January 5, 2023

This is my 30th season as a STH & Reo Hatate is in my top 3 exciting Celtic central midfielders in that time & the most positive of the lot, the difference in his conditioning this season is spectacular, could protect the ball better but believe Ange encourages his risky passes.

— Inside The SPFL (@AgentScotland) January 5, 2023

Without a shadow of a doubt.

Important to remember that Hatate also didn’t make his professional debut until he was 21 due to the system in Japan.

We’ve already seen Ange take players to a whole new level, Taylor a great example.

I believe he’ll only get even better.

— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) January 5, 2023

Pretty sure the guy asking the question is the same guy who said Barkas was better than Hart…moving on..

— Tam (@coybig6721) January 5, 2023

Not that I’ve ever listened to this podcast, but thanks for absolutely setting it in stone that I’ll never give it a chance after this absolutely horrendous clip ? What’s next, is calmac actually suited more to our ball playing keeper than Joe Hart cos his pass stats are better?

— Matty (@mjoneill1967) January 5, 2023

Haven’t listened to the whole output yet but based on the question here he definitely is good enough. Dragged us through games pre WC break and would have struggled to win tighter games without him. Definitely is good enough.

— Stevie??? (@stevieblock102) January 5, 2023

The fact you all sat down and even discussed this shows you’re all fuds

— ??? ????? (@WeeNippySweety) January 5, 2023

This analysis is bizarre and appears not to weight the difficulty of the passes involved.
On passes alone Grant may have had better numbers than McStay but it’s altogether a different story if you weight the type of passes they attempt.

— Cautious Dave (@cautiousdave) January 5, 2023

Perfect example of why statistics are often misleading

— _ (@WindyDiego) January 5, 2023

He’s our 2nd best midfielder. What a bizarre question.

— JC ? (@JC67CFC) January 5, 2023

Hatate is up there with one of the best midfielders we have and stats don’t always tell you the full picture, he’s been excellent for us and 100 percent more than good enough to keep playing in years to come, 3 years of professional football he’s had and he’s a top talent. Mental

— Ryan Clifford (@Ryanclifford11) January 5, 2023