Reo Hatate Edges Celtic Midfield Battle

Brendan Rodgers has revealed his team to face Aberdeen at Celtic Park in a top-of-the-table clash, with a midfield selection headache as Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo battle for the third and final slot in the middle of the park.

Given how much Bernardo impressed against Falkirk and St. Johnstone, he appeared to have edged ahead of Hatate.

However, after a lacklustre display against Dortmund in Germany, and Hatate’s comPetent performance off the bench in the second half, the Japanese playmaker now seems to be ahead of Bernardo as he starts against Jimmy Thelin’s side this afternoon.

On his day, Hatate is undeniably unplayable, but his biggest issue is how often he reaches that level, with consistency being his main challenge.

Given Bernardo’s purple patch before the international break, it’s clear that Hatate needs to raise his Game week in and week out to the level that every Hoops supporter knows he is capable of.

With Hatate now having started two Games on the bounce, he appears to have regained the jersey, and this afternoon gives him a chance to cement himself as a guaranteed starter week in, week out.

A fixture congestion over the next 12 weeks will provide opportunities for rotation.

However, Hatate and Bernardo are vying to see who can become Celtic’s all-round midfielder, a position that will prove vital to domestic and European success this season.