Watch how Reo Hatate’s magic opened the door to Celtic’s victory over Kilmarnock
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Aberdeen - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - February 18, 2023 Celtic's Reo Hatate celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Reo Hatate looked close to his best as he opened the scoring in Celtic’s 3-1 win over Kilmarnock.
The midfielder was dropped for Celtic’s first two matches of the season then picked up a calf muscle coming on as a substitute away to Aberdeen.
His return has coincided with a winning run domestically but the magical touches have largely been missing until midway through the first half of today’s game.
An effort from Kyogo Furuhashi was disallowed for offside in the fifth minute but there was nothing to deny Hatate the opener when he took control midway inside the Killie half in the 22nd minute.
Kyogo’s off-the-ball movement just before Hatate scored the goal? pic.twitter.com/gTzSzLbPn8
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David Watson was nutmegged as if he wasn’t there, as Hatate advanced the visiting defenders stood back anticipating a pass into space for Kyogo. Hatate advanced until he was within range of goal then fired past Will Dennis from the edge of the penalty box.
With the deadlock broken Luis Palma scored Celtic’s second in the 33rd minute with the hoops running out 3-1 victors.