Celtic return to Scottish Premiership action this afternoon, hosting Hearts at Parkhead for their fifth match of the season.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have made an outstanding start to the 2024/25 campaign, winning all four of their league matches without conceding a single goal.
The Hoops head into the clash with Hearts fresh from a resounding 3-0 victory over fierce rivals Rangers in the season’s first Old Firm derby.
That triumph was secured before the international break, and it cemented Celtic’s early dominance in the league. However, despite the comprehensive nature of that victory, one player could find himself relegated to the bench for this afternoon’s match: Reo Hatate.
Reo Hatate’s Old Firm Struggles
Hatate, a Japan international, was handed a start against Rangers, featuring in a midfield trio alongside Callum McGregor and Paulo Bernardo.
However, the 26-year-old midfielder struggled to leave his mark on the game. Defensively, Hatate had a difficult afternoon, losing three of his five ground duels and his only aerial contest, leaving Celtic vulnerable when out of possession.
In such a high-stakes encounter, these defensive lapses were noticeable, even in the context of an otherwise dominant Celtic performance.
On the ball, Hatate’s contribution was below the high standards typically expected of him. Despite Celtic controlling large portions of the game and the midfielder getting 60 touches, he managed to create just one goalscoring opportunity during his 77 minutes on the pitch.
Perhaps most frustrating for Hatate and his manager was his missed chance to get on the scoresheet. Unmarked at the back post, the ball fell kindly to him in the first half, but he blazed his shot wide, squandering what should have been a routine finish.
Hatate was eventually substituted in the 77th minute, with new signing Luke McCowan, a deadline-day arrival from Dundee, coming on to make his debut.
Given Hatate’s performance, McCowan could well be in line to take his place in the starting XI against Hearts.
Why Luke McCowan Deserves to Start
Luke McCowan, a proven Premiership performer, appears ready to make his full debut for Celtic, having already shown glimpses of his ability in his cameo against Rangers.
His experience in the Scottish top flight, particularly with Dundee, means that he is fully acclimatised to the demands of the league, and his recent form suggests he could provide an instant boost to Rodgers’ side.
Before his move to Celtic, McCowan started the 2024/25 season in fine form, registering two goals and one assist in his first three league appearances for Dundee.
This continues his strong output from last season, when he contributed 15 direct goal involvements, proving himself as both a creator and scorer of goals.
His ability to make a difference in the final third has not gone unnoticed. Just last month, Marvin Bartley hailed McCowan as a “game winner,” and that’s exactly the kind of player Rodgers will want to have at his disposal.
Celtic’s attack, already potent, would only be enhanced by the inclusion of a player who has proven he can influence games at the highest level in Scotland.
Given McCowan’s sharp form and Hatate’s struggles in the Rangers clash, there’s a compelling case for the Scottish midfielder to be unleashed from the start against Hearts.
He has the pedigree to step straight into Rodgers’ side without needing time to adjust, and his directness and creativity could provide a spark that Hatate struggled to offer last time out.
In a season where Celtic are already flying high, McCowan’s introduction could add yet another layer of dynamism to their play. With Hatate’s form dipping, it might be the perfect moment for Rodgers to hand McCowan a starting role and see what he can offer from the first whistle.