Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner has criticised Reo Hatate for his role in the concession of one of his team’s goals on Sunday.
The lowdown
The Hoops battled to a 3-2 victory over Dundee at Parkhead on Sunday to go three points clear at the top of the Premiership.
The bottom-of-the-table visitors went ahead on 26 minutes when Danny Mullen got on the end of a corner. Giorgos Giakoumakis’ quickfire double turned the game around, only for Ryan Sweeney to level the match once more.
The Greek then completed his hat-trick four minutes from time to ensure that Celtic didn’t spurn the opportunity to capitalise on Rangers’ dropped points at Dundee United earlier in the day.
The latest
Bonner, who played for Celtic between 1978 and 1997, felt that Celtic were too passive when defending the set piece for the opening goal, with Hatate a particular culprit.
The former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper was on punditry duty for BBC Sportsound and, in reaction to Dundee going 1-0 up, he said: “The goalkeeper doesn’t come. The ball just drops. Matt O’Riley is occupied by one of the centre-halves, Reo Hatate stood still. Danny Mullen had all the time in the world.”
The verdict
Hatate was back in the starting XI after being benched for Thursday’s Europa League defeat against Bodo/Glimt, but he failed to make much of an impact.
The 24-year-old didn’t make a tackle, clearance, block or interception, nor did he create a chance. Although he recorded four shots, each of those was off target (via SofaScore).
It’s worth remembering that Hatate, who is valued at just under £1.1m by Transfermarkt, has broadly made a positive start to his Celtic career, with five goals and assists in his first seven Premiership outings, so this can probably be considered an off-day. Hopefully that’s the case.
In other news, Pete O’Rourke had this to say on potential transfer interest in Hatate