GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 28: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill during a Celtic MD-1 press conference at the Lennoxtown Training Centre, on January 28, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has shot down suggestions that Reo Hatate has ‘downed tools’.
Five years ago the midfielder was making a massive impact on the Celtic side as Ange Postecoglou pushed for the title.
Hatate scored spectacular goals away to Hearts and in a pivotal Glasgow Derby as Celtic went into top spot on 2 February 2022.
Alongside Matt O’Riley the Japanese midfielder provided a fresh dynamic. Alongside the masked Callum McGregor the jigsaw pieces started to fall into place.
O’NEILL DEALS WITH UNDER PAR MIDFIELDER
While O’Riley earned a £28m move to the EPL Hatate remains in the SPFL with his performances dipping alarmingly.
It seemed like more than form when Hatate was sent off away to Bologna. Picking up two yellow cards within five minutes during the first half.
After being benched Hatate came on as an early substitute last week against Livingston.
Laziness caused him to give away a second half penalty. At Kilmarnock on Sunday Hatate was one of three players substituted at half time.
Across social media Hatate is a huge talking point among Celtic fans speaking to O’Neill the Daily Mail reports:
Asked bluntly if Hatate does not want to be a part of things at Parkhead, O’Neill replied: ‘I don’t think that’s the case. It might have existed in the last couple of months or something. But, since the window (has closed), he just has to try to regain form. He has said to me he wants to really knuckle down.
‘Some of these lads are maybe concerned about not getting into World Cup squads in the summertime.
‘That eventually will be a by-product of what you do here. He’s got to really knuckle down and be the player he was two years ago.’
O’Neill doesn’t feel that the prospect of missing out on the World Cup is the root of Hatate’s problem, though.
‘No, I don’t think so. I think he’s searching for form. I think that’s what it is.
‘And, in fairness to the lad, he wants to stay for extra. He wants to do things. He’s not the first one to leave the pitch at the end (of training).
‘I think he’s frustrated with it because of the player that he was. And then he has to find the reasons for it.’
Going by those comments it looks like Hatate could be starting tonight against Stuttgart.
O’Neill is short on midfield options with a lot of expectation falling on recent signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
It would be just brilliant if MON could get Reo back to his best as he’s already proven what a talented player he can be. His form has certainly dipped over at least the last 18 months but he’s not alone there. CalMac’s had quite a few below par performances as has Engels. When Bernardo and McCowan have come in they’ve not been great either. Oxlade-Chamberlain is certainly a class act and we can but hope that he gets and stays fit as he’d be a quality addition. Don’t know anything about Mvuko so it’s fingers crossed.
Hatate is as good as an empty shirt most of the time, combined with the most haphazard shoddy passing and limited concentration.
I cannot recollect any player that I have noticed give the ball away under no pressure at all as much as he does.
He’s a liability we cannot afford in the run in.
Downed tools ! The only tools on display should be the shovels for the Ibroxland rats roaming the stadium in the upcoming games soon ? Those horrible vermin are fearless and allegedly eat through Asbestos as a snack …mind your ankles !
Tail Hatate wagging Dog Martin !