Celtic boss Martin O'Neill addresses Reo Hatate axe but 'pleads the fifth' on Brendan Rodgers observation

Hatate’s last start came against Dundee United more than a month ago while he was an unused substitute against St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final and Saturday’s Premiership win over Falkirk.

Hatate has played a total of 17 minute across the last four matches, a sizable reduction in gametime for a player who has been pivotal for long periods since his arrival at the club four years ago.

O’Neill revealed in February that he had sat down with the Japanese midfielder to discuss his drop-off in form this season and was satisfied that Hatate was still willing to contribute to the Celtic cause, although he now appears to have fallen behind the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arne Engels and Luke McCowan in the midfield pecking order.

“Reo is a fine footballer,” insisted O’Neill. “I think two seasons ago he’d be one of the best in Scotland really. Midfield players tend to go through these little periods where you can't do anything wrong. But you make three or four mistakes in a match in relatively quick succession and then you lose a bit of confidence and things like that.

“But he’ll be around at this minute. You're hoping that the competition for places... you've got Arne coming back now from injury and you've got Alex trying to get up to speed all the time and making an impact.

“Even if he (Oxlade-Chamberlain) never kicked another ball for us, he's won two matches for us by scoring the goals. Part of me is actually quite pleased that it's been hard for players to pick up the speed here. Because sometimes people think (Scottish football) will be easy.”

O’Neill was asked if he agreed with his predecessor, Brendan Rodgers, that Hatate could be a frustrating player. “I'm pleading the fifth on that one,” was his smiling reply.

Hatate struggling but picture is brighter for countryman

While Hatate is struggling for form and minutes, the picture now looks brighter for countryman Daizen Maeda who has rediscovered his touch in front of goal.

The striker is still expected to move on in the summer, despite having a year left on his contract, and O’Neill couldn’t offer any assurances that wouldn’t be the case.

“That would be something the club and he would have to be talking about,” said the outgoing interim manager. “If he didn't want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the football club to try and sell him with a year left to run.

“I do know that there were talks and there was a contract in front of him, which he didn't sign at the time. I don't know the position now. I think Wolfsburg were coming in for him and it didn't materialise. Obviously he became a bit despondent because it was a chance for him to play in the Bundesliga. So that didn't happen. Maybe his head was all over the place for a while but he has certainly settled down.

“In terms of what's happening in the future, I don't know. But he's come back to a bit of form which is great. And I'll look short-term at this minute and see how he can cope with the next five games.”

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