HATATE FORM IS KEY FOR BHOYS

Rodgers must revitalise his Japanese ace

- BY CRAIG SWAN

REO HATATE joined Celtic on the same day as Daizen Maeda.

As the Japanese pair approach four straight years at the Hoops, the contrast in their last sighting could not have been more stark.

It's public knowledge that Maeda wanted away in the summer and yet, although not at his sparkling best since the campaign's kickoff, he remains a key figure with his late winner against Motherwell keeping his team within two points of Hearts heading into this weekend's Premiership resumption.

By the time Maeda scored, Hatate was long off the pitch, subbed on the hour with his side 2-1 down having been unable to make a serious mark on the game. Not for the first time this term.

As Celtic struggle to impose themselves in the middle of the park, finding the spark which really reignites their gifted 27-year-old might just solve a major problem for Brendan Rodgers.

This is a massive block of games approaching for Celtic - crunch ties in the Europa League against Sturm Graz and Midtjylland, a mammoth topflight showdown against leaders Hearts and a Premier Sports Cup semifinal against Rangers.

It was the same last year. At this exact time. And Hatate lit it up.