Celtic ran out 2-0 winners over Norwich City in our final friendly match of pre-season last weekend, and there were a few outstanding individual performances in the game for Celtic.
Jota was sensational as usual and David Turnbull came off the bench and played really well and scored a lovely goal for our 2nd and final goal of the game.
But the performance of Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate is the one that had Celtic supporters talking, and also some Norwich fans who were very complimentary of the player on Twitter.
He was up and down the pitch all game, making tackles, playing beautiful passes and going by players at will.
Many feel this could be Hatate’s year, as we saw glimpses of greatness when he first came into the club, such as in his debut at home to Hibs where he was awarded man of the match, away to Hearts at Tynecastle where he scored a 35 yard screamer, and at home to Sevco in the Glasgow derby, where he scored two great goals to help demolish Sevco under the Paradise lights in a 3-0 victory..
By his own admission, he was extremely fatigued playing for Celtic last season after playing a full season in Japan, so at times his form definitely dipped and we didn’t see the best of him in a lot of matches.
But he says he has had a good rest over the summer and is back fit and raring to go, and judging by his performance against Norwich, that is clear to see and I am definitely looking forward to what he as to offer this coming season.
Take a look at the highlights of Hatate’s performance below.
