Reo Hatate is facing a sweat to make Saturday’s Old Firm showdown but Chris Sutton reckons it’s not just Hoops fans who are keeping tabs on the playmaker’s fitness battle.
The Celtic legend believes everyone at Ibrox will be nervously looking on as well – as the Japanese star is the man they fear most. Sutton thinks Celts will be relieved if he makes it – and those of a Light Blue persuasion will breath a huge sigh of relief if he doesn’t. That’s how important Hatate has become to this Celtic side.
Ange Postecoglou has had plenty of star turns this season and the player of the year vote could be split several ways. But it’s Hatate who is out in front as far as Sutton is concerned and the 25-year-old being fit this weekend could be the key to opening the door on another title success. The Hoops can all but seal the deal on Saturday as a victory would leave Gers needing snookers with 12 points behind and seven games to go.
But Postecoglou has a few headaches going in with Hatate nursing a hamstring tug, Aaron Mooy on the mend, Greg Taylor limping off in Dingwall at the weekend and Liel Ababa definitely ruled out. The Lennoxtown treatment room will be busy but Hatate getting the green light will be a blow for Rangers even before a ball is kicked.
Sutton, speaking on the Record Celtic podcast, said: “I don’t know how fit they are, that’s the biggest issue. Mooy had a bit of a slow start but he’s been a really important signing for Ange Postecoglou.
“The manager keeps his cards close to chest when it comes to injuries so you never really know. In terms of Hatate, I think he’s been Celtic’s most important player this season. When he is in the side, Celtic seem a lot quicker moving through the midfield. McGregor is so important at starting the moves but Hatate is really integral.
“At this moment in time, Hatate is my player of the year in Scotland. I know Kyogo has scored the goals and Cameron Carter-Vickers has been an absolute rock. But Hatate is the key man. He’s also the man Rangers fear most – I really believe that. It would be a relief to the Rangers team if he doesn’t make it.”
Punters would be tempted to patch up Hatate an chuck him in given the magnitude of Saturday. But Sutton said: “If he’s not fully fit I wouldn’t risk him. Celtic can afford to lose three games and still win the league so there would be no point in risking further injury and missing more games. There’s also the Scottish Cup semi-final to think about.”
With Mooy also in Ward 10 in recent weeks, this could be a time for Matt O’Riley to shine. The midfielder hasn’t quite hit the heights in recent weeks but it’s perhaps understandable.
O’Riley was outstanding in a deeper role when he stood in for injured Callum McGregor and was unlucky to see Mooy in fine form when he was away. Time has been more limited and his momentum has suffered a tad, but Sutton has no worries about the former MK Dons man’s big game attributes.
He said: “It’s a really important game for O’Riley. He probably hasn’t quite kicked on in recent months because of the form of Mooy. He made such a dramatic impact when he first came to the club but he’s one of those who would be going in with a real purpose and maybe a point to prove. Celtic will need a big performance from him.”
The same could be said for Alexandro Bernabei, with the full-back on notice with Taylor’s injury. Sutton knows who he’d rather have against Gers. He said: “It’s been difficult for Bernabei given Taylor’s performances.
“He needs to do far better defensively, such as stopping crosses. His strike was brilliant at the weekend and his greatest strength is attacking. I don’t want to sound like called a dinosaur but full-backs have to defend and I’m not sure he’s good enough in one-v- one situations.
“By all accounts Taylor had a dead leg and he should be OK for the weekend and that will be important, because if you ask any Celtic fan, they’d want him in there against Rangers.”
At least Postecoglou has plenty of options. The Celtic boss has built a squad that’s capable of absorbing injuries as the quality from the bench has been a huge part of the charge to the top of the table this season.
There are players pushing for starts – such as striker Oh Hyeon-gyu. The big Korean has looked the business when he’s been on but Sutton can’t see past Kyogo for now.
He said: “You just need to look at the League Cup Final and the goalscorer that day. Rangers might not have liked the physical aspect of Giorgos Giakoumakis and then Oh, but the certainty didn’t like the goalscoring exploits of Kyogo.
“Giakoumakis caused Rangers a lot of problems with his physicality but you look at the problems Kyogo gave them with his movement in the cup final. He’s not one to get too much involved in the build-up play, but he causes so many problems with that movement and his goals.”
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