Reo Hatate and Olivier Ntcham, two players who have graced Celtic Park, are often subjects of intense debate among supporters. The crux of the debate centers around the extraordinary talent both players have displayed during their respective tenures at the club, and yet, also their frustrating inconsistency. Both men, on their day, have been able to showcase qualities that would make them stand out as some of the best midfielders in Scotland, but those moments of brilliance have often been fleeting, leaving fans to ponder whether they could truly reach the heights many believe they are capable of.

Let’s start with Reo Hatate. The Japanese midfielder was one of the most exciting signings in recent Celtic history when he joined from Kawasaki Frontale in 2022. His performances, especially during his debut season under Ange Postecoglou, were nothing short of sensational. Hatate quickly adapted to Celtic’s high-pressing, attacking style, impressing with his technical ability, vision, and knack for scoring crucial goals. Whether it was his explosive runs into the box or his pinpoint passes that opened up opposition defences, Hatate’s quality was undeniable. He was part of the dominant Celtic team that won the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish League Cup in 2022/23. His performances against teams like Rangers and Hearts earned him rave reviews, with many fans lauding him as one of the best midfielders in the country.

Hatate’s quality was particularly evident in Celtic’s Champions League campaign this season. A standout performance in Celtic’s 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig was arguably one of the best individual displays by a Celtic player in Europe in many years. Hatate controlled the midfield, drove forward with the ball, and was involved in key moments that led to Celtic’s famous win. That match showed exactly what Hatate is capable of when he is at the top of his game, and for many Celtic fans, it reinforced the belief that he could become one of the best midfielders in Europe if he could maintain such performances consistently.

However, therein lies the issue. For all of Hatate’s brilliance, his performances have often lacked consistency. Fans have been left frustrated when he has failed to replicate his best form, particularly in domestic matches. After the Leipzig victory, Celtic’s results started to take a downturn, and performances, particularly in key matches, began to fall short. The defeat to St Johnstone, the bottom club in the Premiership, was a particularly low point in Celtic’s campaign. Hatate, in particular, came under scrutiny after a missed opportunity during the match, where a clear-cut chance to score went wide by a considerable margin. Such moments have led to questions about Hatate’s consistency and whether he can deliver the level of performance that Celtic need week in, week out, especially in domestic competition.

The comparison to Olivier Ntcham has come up as a result of these inconsistencies. Like Hatate, Ntcham was a player who could be brilliant on his day but was often criticized for his inconsistency. Ntcham joined Celtic in 2017, and his raw talent was immediately evident. He was a powerful, technically gifted midfielder with an excellent range of passing, and he showed glimpses of his potential in key matches for Celtic. His performances against the likes of Manchester City in the Champions League, where he scored a stunning goal, were proof of the kind of player Ntcham could be. When he was on form, Ntcham was a force to be reckoned with in the midfield.

However, as is often the case with players blessed with natural talent, consistency was an issue. Ntcham would have incredible games, but they were often followed by performances where he seemed to drift out of the match entirely. There were games where his contributions were minimal, and it was easy to forget he was on the pitch. This inconsistency led to frustration from both fans and management, with many wondering why a player with so much natural talent couldn’t perform at a high level more regularly. Despite flashes of brilliance, Ntcham’s time at Celtic was ultimately defined by his inability to deliver consistently, and his performances often fell short of the expectations that come with playing for a club like Celtic.

By the time Ntcham left Celtic in 2021, many fans had mixed feelings. There were those who saw his potential and lamented that he never quite fulfilled it, while others felt it was time for him to move on. Ntcham eventually joined Olympique Marseille before moving to Samsunspor in Turkey, where he now plays in the Super Lig. At 29, he is still plying his trade at a professional level, but he has never truly reached the heights many believed he would. His inconsistency, while frustrating during his time at Celtic, seems to have continued in his subsequent career.

Now, the comparison between Hatate and Ntcham is inevitable. Both players have been lauded for their potential, both have shown they can be game-changers, but both have struggled to consistently produce those performances. Stephen McGinn, a Celtic supporter and pundit, weighed in on the debate, defending Hatate while acknowledging the frustrations. McGinn pointed out that, while Hatate’s performances haven’t been as consistent as fans might like, he still believes the Japanese midfielder is very close to becoming a top-level player. McGinn emphasized that Hatate’s preparation for games and his work ethic off the pitch are impressive, and he feels that Hatate is capable of taking his game to the next level.

One of McGinn’s main points was that while Hatate hasn’t been involved in as many assists or goals as he had in his first season, his role in the team still remains crucial. Hatate is often tasked with controlling the tempo of the game and linking up play in the middle of the park. It’s easy to overlook the quieter, less flashy aspects of his game, such as his ability to retain possession and create space for others, but these are essential components of Celtic’s style of play.

McGinn also made a key observation about Hatate’s work ethic. Despite the frustrations surrounding his inconsistency, McGinn believes that Hatate is committed to improving and is working hard to get back to his best. He pointed out that Hatate’s desire to learn and improve is evident, particularly in his preparation for matches and his post-game analysis. For McGinn, this shows that Hatate is still capable of reaching the heights that many fans expect from him.

When comparing Hatate’s overall time at Celtic to Ntcham’s, it’s clear that Hatate has been the more consistent performer overall. Hatate has been integral to Celtic’s midfield, contributing in both domestic and European competitions, and even when his performances haven’t been perfect, he has shown glimpses of why he was brought to the club in the first place. On the other hand, Ntcham’s career at Celtic was characterized by potential that was never fully realized. While Ntcham had moments of brilliance, they were never frequent enough to make him a consistently key player for Celtic.

While both players have shared the tag of being “the best midfielder in the country on their day,” it is clear that Hatate has been the better player overall. He has shown more consistency, more influence in big matches, and more of the qualities needed to thrive at Celtic. The challenge now for Hatate is to find that consistency and build on his flashes of brilliance to become one of the top midfielders in Europe. If he can do that, Celtic fans will see a player capable of dominating in both domestic and European competition, and he will truly live up to the potential many believe he has.

In conclusion, while the comparisons between Hatate and Ntcham are understandable given their shared struggles with inconsistency, it’s important to remember that Hatate still has plenty of time to fulfill his potential. With his talent, work ethic, and the right guidance, Hatate can overcome these inconsistencies and become one of Celtic’s most important players. He just needs to find that consistency, and if he does, Celtic’s midfield will have a player capable of carrying the team to even greater heights.