Reo Hatate was one of three Japanese players that joined Celtic in the January transfer window. The midfielder joined the Hoops from Kawasaki Frontale, and he had played an entire season in the J-League before making the move to Glasgow.

The 24-year-old made his Hoops debut against Hibernian, but his first big moment in a Celtic jersey would come in his next game against Hearts, when his long-range shot gave the Hoops lead in a game which the Bhoys would go on to win 2-1.

YouTube: Heart of Midlothian 1-2 Celtic | Reo Hatate Scores First Celtic Goal! | cinch Premiership

Then on the 2nd of February came his best moments yet in a Celtic jersey, as the midfielder scored two excellent goals in the epic 3-0 win over Rangers which took the Bhoys to the top of the Premiership, a position the team would not relinquish. It has to be considered as one of the best Glasgow derby debuts by a Celtic player

YouTube: Celtic 3-0 Rangers | Hatate Scores Twice as Celtic Blow Away Rangers To Go Top | cinch Premiership

So far Hatate has found it difficult to live up to that game as the effects of playing in an entire J-League season have taken their toll, as as a result he has only completed three full games for the Bhoys.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport

However, Hatate was still able to make some important contributions to the side even if he wasn’t at his best, his saved shot led to Tom Rogic scoring from the rebound in the huge 2-1 win at Ibrox in April. He also weighed in with a goal and an assist in the 7-0 win over St Johnstone, which was one of the Hoops’ best performances of the season.

YouTube: Rangers 1-2 Celtic | Celtic take six-point lead at the top of the table! | cinch Premiership

YouTube: Celtic 7-0 St. Johnstone | Celtic Score SEVEN! Kyogo Returns in Dominant Win | cinch Premiership

Overall Hatate had a good first season for the Hoops, with the performance against Rangers a particular highlight, but it does have to be said that he faded towards the end of the season, but that is because of the full season he had played in Japan before joining Celtic.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport

It would not be a surprise to see Hatate be much more consistent for the Hoops in his first full season for the club, as he will have had a full pre-season and be fully fit by the time the Hoops return to action in August.

Rating Hatate’s season at Celtic overall, the game against Rangers at Celtic Park deserves a 10 out of 10, but as his performances have not reached that level during the rest of the season, then it is a 7 out of 10 for the player, which is still a good level of performance.

Ange Postecoglou will be pleased with how Hatate performed in his first season in Glasgow, as he has made a contribution to the Hoops when not always at his best, and he could get even better next season.

REO HATATE – SEASON 20/21

APPEARANCES – 21

GOALS – 4

RATING: 7 out of 10