How Hatate turned Rodgers’ first impressions into lasting trust | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers’ post-match comments, as reported earlier by Conor Spence on The Celtic Star today were particularly interesting regarding Reo Hatate — and may be something new signing Shin Yamada should also take note of.

Reo Hatate celebrates with team mates after scoring to give Celtic a 0-2 lead. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Pittodrie. Sunday 10 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Here’s what the manager had to say about potential transfer interest in Reo — thankfully shut down for now — and his early impressions of the midfielder –

Aberdeen v Celtic – Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers during the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI (IMAGO)

“We’re trying to get players in, never mind getting them out! We haven’t heard anything for the likes of Reo and that.  He is one of the few players in that midfield who can make those incisive passes. He’ll give the ball away at times, and that used to really frustrate me when I first started to work with him, but that is the risk he plays in his game.

“But then he produced a moment like that, which was a brilliant finish. He’s done that up here before, last year. We want to build the squad, and while there are lots of areas I’m pleased with, there are other areas we will focus on and hopefully improve.”

It feels like an age since Rodgers returned for his second spell at Celtic and, at first, appeared to misjudge Reo’s supposedly surly nature — perhaps initially failing to recognise that no one is more critical of Reo Hatate than the player himself.

At a glance, it’s easy to pigeonhole Reo as that type of character. Many of us probably did at the start. But once you read one or two of his self-analysis blogs, you see there’s nothing cocky or surly about him at all. Instead, you find a player who beats himself up relentlessly in pursuit of improvement — so much so you almost wish he’d give himself a break. But he won’t. And we shouldn’t want him to, because that drive is what makes him the player he is.

Some observers pointed this out to Rodgers early on. But the manager went with his first impression, benching Reo and starting the season with David Turnbull in his place.

To Rodgers’ credit, it didn’t take long for him to change his mind. Now, it’s clear the manager and Reo have forged a mutually beneficial relationship.

Shin Yamada of Celtic tackles Dante Polvara of Aberdeen. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Pittodrie Stadium on 10 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/IMAGO Shutterstock

And that’s where Shin Yamada comes in.

The Japanese forward has already arrived in Scotland, heard Rodgers hint he might be a “project player,” and even seen the manager bristle when a journalist questioned his decision to leave Shin on the bench in favour of Johnny Kenny.

Johnny Kenny celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

With Kenny since signing a new contract, it seemed likely the Irishman would have replaced Adam Idah yesterday after a second underwhelming run-out as Celtic’s No.9 in two games.

Instead, in the 2–0 win over Aberdeen, Rodgers turned to Shin. On that decision, the manager said –

“It’s about finding moments in games when you can use him. It was important to see him in a game like this, with something on it, away from home, to see his physicality in the game. He has things to work on, but he has a good attitude and wants to get better. He will feel, coming into the game, that he was positive about his play.”

Sporting CP v Celtic – Pre-Season Friendly Reo Hatate of Celtic FC runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting de Lisboa and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal, on July 16, 2025. Faro Portugal Photo DAX Image

It was interesting to see Hatate and Shin deep in conversation after the match, with Reo animated in his body language as they left the field. He certainly seemed to be passing on advice to his fellow countryman — and may well have offered assurance, alongside encouragement, if Shin had been thinking “what have I done?” after those early comments from Rodgers and his unused substitute status against St Mirren.

As we’ve seen with Hatate, Rodgers can and will reassess an initial judgement if the player responds the right way.

Shin Yamada of Celtic FC scores his goal from the penalty spot during the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

From his cameo yesterday and in pre-season, Shin Yamada looks a talent. If the manager sees room for improvement, he only needs to look to Reo Hatate for proof that taking feedback on board can turn first impressions into lasting trust.

Niall J

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