Celtic board angst spilling onto pitch as rival tells Hoops the direct impact of inner unrest on stars
The Scottish Premiership ace believes that the constant protests against the board have had an affect on some of the players.
When discussing the inconsistency from of Reo Hatate, Motherwell defender Stephen O’Donnell thinks that unrest in the stands hasn’t helped the likes of Celtic’s Old Firm hero in recent months.
The midfielder changed the game against Rangers after coming on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half and eventually grabbed the equaliser after his penalty and initial rebound was saved by Jack Butland. In what was a game of two halves, the introduction of Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti helped Celtic earn a deserved point.
Since signing from Kawasaki Frontale in 2022, Hatate has always been a player that had big performances in the locker. Despite being one of O’Neill’s mainstays during his first spell, the Japan International has recently been dropped from the starting XI after his latest dip in form. O’Donnell believes that the negativity from the Hoops fans in the stands against the board has projected itself onto some of the players, like Hatate, who perhaps struggles in a more hostile environment.
Hostile Celtic Park atmosphere impact on players
Speaking on Go Radio alongside Hoops icon Peter Grant, O’Donnell said: “I think that's something that can be helped with, and I know there's a lot of politics in the background with it, but the atmosphere at Parkhead can sometimes be the thing that can lift players, be the motivation for them.
“And that's not quite been the same because there's been this underlying feeling about the board and all that kind of stuff. Yes, it's easy to say the players should switch off to it, they've got a job to do etc. But it isn't as easy as that, especially when you're maybe someone from a different culture, not really understanding where this hostility is coming from.
“He might not be getting it personally, but he's kind of getting it because he's at the forefront, he’s the one on the pitch. And it can maybe just have that wee negative effect that then drops from a couple of percent, and its percentages that make big differences, especially at Celtic.”
Ibrox performance was the real Hatate - Grant
Grant said that he hasn’t always been Hatate’s biggest fan and that at time he’s been guilty of being lazy in a green and white jersey, but admits at the weekend, he swung the game in Celtic’s favour. He added: “I remember there was a period during the Brendan Rodgers era when he actually ended up leaving him (Hatate) out. It was probably the first time he'd been left out with Celtic.
“His body language was terrible, he wasn't working hard enough. If he lost the ball he didn't try and retain it back, he didn't get back quickly enough. But everything he did at the weekend was excellent. He was finding space everywhere. When you've got players like him, there is no doubt his talent on the ball. I mean, there was a couple of opportunities he had prior to that I thought he should have scored with. That he's more than capable of scoring. But he’s a talented, talented boy.”