By Frank McAvennie

22nd Oct, 2023 | 6:00am

Reo Hatate 'was just showing off' - Celtic expert reacts to what he saw

Reo Hatate “showing off” as fellow Celtic stars struggling to live up the hype.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie has been “raving” about Hatate after his performance against Kilmarnock before the international break.

The Japan international was on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win over Killie that kept them top of the table heading into the break.

Speaking after the match (7 October), manager Brendan Rodgers said that the game was the first time Hatate has “come alive” since he took charge but insisted he cannot let his standards slip.

Rodgers insisted Hatate needs “more intensity in his game” but insisted he will help the playmaker maintain that level.

The Hoops return to action against Hearts with a visit to Tynecastle on Sunday (22 October).

McAvennie acknowledged it will be a difficult game but is hopeful Hatate will be at his best for the occasion.

“Every time you go to Tynecastle it is hard no matter who you are,” he told Football Insider.

“In the game against Kilmarnock Hatate was just showing off, he was proving to everyone how good he is. I have been raving about him because of some of the things he has done.

“I think Kyogo [Furuhashi] is still to hit the mark, I watch him make these great runs and once [Matt] O’Riley and [Greg] Taylor start noticing them, I think it is only a matter of games before that happens.“

In other news, winger wants to quit Celtic for good after talks with chiefs.