Opinion: Celtic star may need to up his game to be derby match-winner

There is no doubt about who was Celtic‘s star man in the team’s last meeting with Rangers – Reo Hatate.

The midfielder scored two memorable goals to help the Hoops to a 3-0 win at Celtic Park to take the side to the top of the league. It was one of the best Glasgow derby debuts in a long time, and Hatate immediately became a hero of the Hoops fans.

That game, and one shortly before that at Tynecastle against Hearts, have probably been the high points of Hatate’s brief spell at the club so far. It was always going to be difficult to live up to scoring two goals in your first Glasgow derby appearance, but Hatate has not hit those heights again since.

He is still a favourite of Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou though, and he has made 14 appearances for the Bhoys since joining the Hoops in January. 

Interestingly, Hatate was left out of Celtic’s recent game against Livingston, which is a difficult away game, similar to how the trip to Ibrox will be a tough away game, but you have to imagine that due to his last performance against Rangers, Hatate will get the nod from Ange Postecoglou to start the game.

If he does start the game for the Hoops, then he may have to up his performance levels from recent games, to help the Bhoys get the win which would take the team close to the league title.

Hatate is more than capable of dominating a game, we saw that in the last Glasgow derby. He scored two goals by being able to find space on the penalty box, to have shots on goal which found the back of the net.

If he is able to find that space at Ibrox this weekend, he could once again have a big say in a Glasgow derby.

Hatate might well have to play well to keep his place in the Hoops side, as with David Turnbull fit again Celtic have another