Key Points
- Martin O’Neill said he would not rule out Reo Hatate featuring against Rangers on Sunday.
- Hatate has played just 17 minutes in the past month and has not featured for Celtic since his cameo against St Mirren on 17 April, according to Celts Are Here.
- The comments come ahead of Celtic’s final Glasgow derby of the season in the East End of Glasgow.
- O’Neill suggested Hatate’s experience in high-pressure fixtures could still make him an option.
- The Japan midfielder has previously influenced an Old Firm match from the bench, including the 2-2 draw with Rangers, as reported by Celts Are Here.
- O’Neill’s remarks were reported by the Herald, as quoted in Celts Are Here.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) May 9, 2026 – Martin O’Neill said Reo Hatate could still play a part against Rangers because he has been in these situations before, with the Celtic manager refusing to dismiss any player who has experience of the fixture.
As reported by the Herald and relayed by Celts Are Here, O’Neill said: “Of course, he could come in” and added:
“I wouldn’t rule anyone out from the viewpoint that they have been in these situations before. Reo has been in them and I wouldn’t rule it out.”
The remarks came at a time when Hatate’s club role has become less certain. Celts Are Here reported that the Japanese midfielder has dropped sharply down the pecking order and has not played for Celtic since his 17-minute appearance against St Mirren on 17 April.
What is Hatate’s recent situation?
Hatate’s recent omission has become notable because he was previously a regular starter, and his reduced involvement has raised questions about whether he would be used in one of Celtic’s biggest fixtures.
According to Celts Are Here, he has been on the bench since that St Mirren match and has struggled to get on the pitch in recent games.
The same report also pointed to his previous impact against Rangers, when he came off the bench in a 2-2 draw and helped Celtic recover in the match.
How important is the Rangers match?
The match matters because it is the final meeting between Celtic and Rangers this season, and it is taking place in Glasgow’s East End.
Celtic are also chasing major league implications, with Celts Are Here noting that O’Neill could use experienced players as Celtic pursue their fifth successive league title.
The report added that Celtic were also keeping an eye on results elsewhere, including Motherwell versus Hearts, because those outcomes could affect the title picture.
What background helps explain this?
Hatate has been a significant figure in previous Glasgow derby matches, which is why his potential inclusion drew attention.
Celts Are Here highlighted that he had already made a decisive contribution from the bench in a previous 2-2 draw with Rangers.
BBC Sport also reported earlier in the season that O’Neill had spoken about Hatate in the context of a “tough old season” and said the midfielder had to get the best out of himself.
That background helps explain why O’Neill’s latest comments matter: they suggest Hatate may still be considered for one of the club’s most demanding games despite his recent lack of minutes.
Background of the development
This development sits within a wider pattern of discussion around Celtic’s team selection under O’Neill and Hatate’s fluctuating role in the side.
BBC Sport reported in March that O’Neill had already been assessing Hatate’s form and approach, while later reports showed the midfielder slipping further down the pecking order.
The build-up to the derby has also been shaped by the title race and by O’Neill’s own comments that the fixture may be his final Old Firm match in the Celtic dugout, which added extra weight to his selection choices.
Prediction
For Celtic supporters and Rangers followers, the immediate effect is that Hatate’s possible involvement adds one more selection question before kick-off.
If he is used, his role would most likely be shaped by game state rather than certainty of a start, because O’Neill’s comments point more to flexibility than to a confirmed place in the XI.
For the wider Celtic audience, the development suggests the manager is still willing to lean on players with derby experience in a match that may influence both momentum and the title race.
