With Celtic finding themselves in a title race, you would imagine that someone of Reo Hatate's stature would find himself as one of the first names on the team sheet. He has won everything domestically, scored in Glasgow derbies and played international football for Japan. That is the type of experience you look towards in these tight situations.

Yet, the story has been very different over the last few weeks at Celtic. Hatate has featured in just 17 minutes over the last five games, making just one appearance. He has been left as an unused substitute in the other four.

Naturally, fans have been left wondering why, especially as Celtic's performances in these games have not been particularly good. They could do with all the help they can get.

As a result, leaving someone like Hatate seems a little counterproductive at this time. Journalist Michael Gannon appears to believe that it is down to a trust issue.

He said while speaking on Daily Record's Hotline Live regarding Hatate's lack of game time in recent weeks: "That's five games in a row now, he's had 17 minutes across five games. There's a problem there.

"We asked about it on Friday and O'Neill kind of talked him up about it and just said it's just the way it's been and stuff like that, but I think there is a, I think it's a trust issue as well. I think giving the ball away and being a bit haphazard at times is, I think O'Neill's looking for a bit more safety first at this point in the season and Hatate is a bit more kind of high risk. But I still expect him to see him when you're chasing a game or chasing a goal, you still expect to see Reo Hatate. So that is one to watch, there's definitely an issue I think there as well."

The complete lack of Hatate in these last few weeks has been surprising to say the least. One has to wonder if there is some behind the scenes issue that we are not aware of that this point in time but will emerge in the future.

It is worth pointing out that Hatate is one of those players who is widely expected to leave Celtic at the end of this season. And considering how he has been used lately, that seems almost inevitable.

That being said, if Celtic are to get over the finish line in this title race, they might need someone of Hatate's mercurial quality, as inconsistent as he may be.

Just look at the game against the Rangers away at Ibrox. It was Hatate whose performance changed the course of that match. Just not playing him, when there is so much on the line, could be a mistake on the part of O'Neill and one that could cost Celtic the title race if he is not careful.

If Celtic are going well and winning, then it is all fine. But if they are chasing a game, Hatate needs to be considered as an option, no matter what the situation is behind the scenes.

There are just four more games left this season, including the Scottish Cup final, and then his future can be sorted out.

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