Reo Hatate: Celtic midfielder ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest, says Mark Wilson | Football News

Former Celtic midfielder Mark Wilson believes the League Cup final was won in midfield with Reo Hatate “head and shoulders above the rest”.

Ange Postcoglou’s men retained the trophy as Kyogo Furuhashi scored a brace to win 2-1 against Rangers.

Hatate produced a dominant midfield display and set up Kyogo for his second goal at Hampden Park as the Hoops ended Michael Beale’s unbeaten start as Rangers manager.

Wilson, who lifted the League Cup with Celtic in 2009, identified the Japan international as key to their victory.

“He is incredible,” he said of the 25-year-old who has scored five goals in the league this season.

“You see his movement and the running off the ball he does, but it’s his quality on the ball that sets him apart.

“I think he is taller than the others and he was involved in those two goals.

“I think Hatate has been a star for them this year in all competitions and, if you do that in the final, it should look even better.

“I was surprised when Ange Postecoglou chose to take him when he did because Rangers were coming into the game at that point, it was a bit of a knife’s edge.

“It just shows you the faith that Ange has in the substitutions and new signings, which he has brought to this country, which he is ready to put when the game is on the edge of the knife.”

Sunday’s win means Postecoglou has now won three awards since taking charge of Celtic in June 2021.

Celtic sit nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and remain on course for a domestic treble with a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie with Hearts next month.

Wilson believes Australia deserves credit for the way it handles the pressure of managing the team.

“I grew up in the city and grew up a Celtic fan, so I know exactly what it means to support a club,” he said.

“You never hear from Postecoglou about that side and the pressure that’s on his shoulders, and it’s great, but he’s handled it well.

“I think you could see the relief, especially when the second goal went in, and at the final whistle you could see the weight lifting.

“He deserves a good night because he did a lot of work on this side, did a lot of press conferences where he had to deal with a lot of questions.”

McGregor: We are lucky to have Kyogo

Callum McGregor described Kyogo Furuhashi as a “superstar” after another Viaplay Cup final double from the Celtic striker brought the trophy back to Parkhead.

“He’s a superstar, I can’t say enough about him.

“In our system, the striker has to be very disciplined and between the posts and again today he was there with two good finishes, completing the team’s movement.

“It takes a lot of discipline to play in that position and it’s two finals in a row, he’s scored two winning goals.

“So, a real superstar and we’re lucky to have him.”

“The first half I thought we were very good, very dominant in the game and maybe we were unlucky to go (only) one.

“But it was good from us in the showpiece event, stuck to our football and really caused people problems. I don’t think they won the ball again once in transition so it was very good from us.

Confirmed Scottish Premiership matches live on Sky Sports

Sunday March 5: St Mirren vs Celtic, kick-off 12pm

Saturday March 18th: Motherwell vs Rangers, kick-off 12.30pm

Sunday 2 April: Ross County vs Celtic, kick-off 12pm

Saturday 8 April: Celtic vs Rangers, kick-off 12.30pm

Sunday April 9: Dundee United vs Hibernian, kick-off 12pm

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