Hatate’s goal reaction on Instagram

Reo Hatate crowned his return from injury with a brilliant goal to open the scoring in Celtic’s 3-0 victory over St Mirren.

Two weeks ago he started his first Celtic match since October, fears about the impact of the plastic pitch at Livingston were wiped away by a highly impressive hour in which he exerted a massive influence on the match.

Last week at Ibrox he was a cut above anyone else on the park, finding time on the ball and creating space that ensured Celtic dominated the hour that he was involved in.

Seven minutes into the second half of today’s match Hatate had a decisive impact, finding space at the edge of the penalty box he steadied a pass from Alistair Johnston with his left foot just as his right foot shot found the top corner of the net.

It was a quality goal at just the moment Celtic needed a breakthrough.

Strikers Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah added to the scoreline but in a tight race for the title, with the match goal-less at half-time the opener is priceless.

With five matches to be played a fully fit and functioning Hatate could be the difference between Celtic finishing first or second in the title race.