Last night, just like the majority of this season, was yet another rollercoaster ride of emotions as momentum in the league title race changed once again when Celtic somehow managed to close the distance between themselves and theRangers after a night of high drama at both Celtic Park and Fir Park…
Stephen Welsh scores for Motherwell. Motherwell 1-1 theRangers. Scottish Premiership. Fir Park, 11 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Celtic’s 2-1 win against Livingston, and theRangers draw against Motherwell, means we are now only a point behind our city rivals with a game in hand. Hearts of course secured all three points the night before after scaping a 1-0 win against Hibs, meaning they still sit at the summit of the table with a five point lead ahead of their trip to Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.
Stephen Welsh scores for Motherwell. Motherwell 1-1 theRangers. Scottish Premiership. Fir Park, 11 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
There were a whole host of talking points at the conclusion of last night’s drama but I’m going to focus on three points that I think need discussed. I’ll start with the poor form Reo Hatate that has now become a real concern.
11.02.2026 Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership. Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain celebrates after scoring the late winner at Celtic Park. Photo: Kenny Ramsay. IMAGO / News Licensing
On this form Reo Hatate is becoming a liability
Most Celtic fans will agree that under Ange Postecoglou we unearthed a gem in unheralded midfielder Reo Hatate and that he has been a valuable asset over these last four years at Celtic but recently he has become a liability in this team. Reo has looked a shadow of himself this season.
Reo Hatate of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
He has gone from someone who was a game changer in a positive way to being someone who is now changing games in a negative way.
Last night’s blunder that gifted Livingston a lifeline in a game where they barely threatened was a moment of madness that could have had severe implications in the title race if we failed to find a winner.
Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain’s goal to make it 2-1 to Celtic. 11.02.2026 Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership. Photo Kenny Ramsay. IMAGO/ News Licensing
And that looked likely until Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saved his new teammates skin at the death.
This isn’t an isolated incident either as he also nearly cost us dearly in Bologna, getting sent off after getting booked twice within three minutes. Again his teammates pulled him out of a hole that day, going on to secure a vital draw.
Reo Hatate of Celtic FC during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
His general output recently has been hugely underwhelming, he’s a player I find myself getting frustrated by due to his carelessness on the ball and his lack of effort sometimes in doing the dirty work expected of a midfielder.
With Arne Engels going off injured last night, Hatate could be handed a key role in the coming weeks. He needs to find his form or his Celtic career may be over come June. No one wants to see him end his time in Glasgow empty handed and under a dark cloud, so it’s imperative he finds his form, and finds it fast.
Next I’ll look at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and explain why he is exactly the type of quality player Celtic needs for this title run-in.
Conall McGinty
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Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
Hatate has become a liability, it hurts to say so after all he has done for Celtic.hh
Hetate has all the signs , and more , of a ,” Want away player” so why do successive Celtic managers keep playing him ? The reason is that he still has value in the transfer market . If we are going to make a serious challenge to regain the League Title , Hetate should NOT be a first pick . His mind is not on the job and his heart is no longer with Celtic . He ambles through games letting the Celtic fans and his team-mates down badly in every game . keep him on the bench Martin and only play him when the game is well and truly won , which hasn’t happened yet this season . Nygren is another Celtic player who has the ability but not the attitude to win Titles . He is another player who should now come under scrutiy for his effort