Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has branded Reo Hatate a 'serious player' following his brace for Celtic against Rangers.
The Bhoys’ new Japanese sensation scored two and claimed an assist as his side secured a comfortable 3-0 Old Firm derby win over Giovanni van Bronckhorst's team at Parkhead.
Hatate, who joined Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale last month, put his side ahead with a nicely-taken effort from the edge of the box after just five minutes.
The Japan international then added a second with another fine finish from outside the area before he claimed an assist for Liel Abada’s goal three minutes before the interval.
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The win moved Celtic above Rangers in the Scottish Premiership table, and Robertson was quick to praise the forward after the game.
Taking to Twitter, the Scotland international wrote: “Hatate a serious player.”
Speaking after the match, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglu hailed his players for handling the pressure of the game.
He said: “I’m very proud of the lads. The first half was outstanding, the football was brilliant and we could have had more goals.
“The second half we showed we can defend if we need and full credit to the players. It was a big game, we knew the consequences, there was big pressure on us and we handled it superbly.”
While Celtic skipper Callum McGregor claimed his side were 'first class', saying: "I thought the football we played in the first half was first class.
"It has been labelled at us that we have missed too many chances but we were clinical. The manager was on at us to take our chances and we knew we had to be ruthless – which we were.
"We have done a lot of hard work from the start of the season and it’s important for the new guys to see a win like that here. But we won’t get carried away."
