Gary Neville publicly destroys Celtic star, call him one of the most overrated player he’s ever seen following his poor display vs Stuttgart
Celtic’s European campaign came to a disappointing end in the UEFA Europa League play-off round against VfB Stuttgart. The Scottish champions fell to a 4-1 defeat in the first leg at Celtic Park on 20 February 2026, before securing a heroic but ultimately futile 1-0 victory in the second leg in Germany on 26 February. Luke McCowan’s early strike gave the Hoops hope, but the aggregate score of 4-2 saw them exit Europe once again. While several players stepped up in the return fixture, one standout name from the squad drew widespread scrutiny for his underwhelming contributions across both ties.
The matches highlighted familiar issues for Martin O’Neill’s side: defensive vulnerabilities in the first leg and a lack of cutting edge despite moments of resilience. Stuttgart’s superior quality and Bundesliga pedigree proved too much, exposing gaps in Celtic’s squad depth and individual performances under pressure. Fans and pundits alike dissected the displays, pointing to areas where key figures failed to deliver the expected standards.
It was during the post-match analysis on Sky Sports that former Manchester United captain and respected pundit Gary Neville delivered one of his most scathing critiques in recent memory. Turning his attention to Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate, Neville did not hold back. “I’ve watched him for a while now and, honestly, Reo Hatate is one of the most overrated players I’ve ever seen,” Neville declared live on air. “The hype around him has been ridiculous for years. Quick feet, nice touches in tight spaces sure. But when it really matters, against proper opposition like Stuttgart, he goes missing. Slack on the ball, poor decision-making, and zero end product. Celtic fans deserve better than this level of inconsistency from someone who’s supposed to be their creative heartbeat.”
Neville’s comments landed like a bombshell, igniting immediate debate across social media and football forums. The Japan international, signed from Kawasaki Frontale in 2022, has long been praised for his technical ability, energy, and role in Celtic’s domestic dominance. Supporters have celebrated his flair in the Scottish Premiership, where he has contributed goals and assists in big derbies. Yet Neville argued that Hatate’s performances in Europe consistently fall short, labelling him a “luxury player” who thrives only against weaker sides. “You see it time and again,” Neville continued. “He looks brilliant in patches at home, but put him under real intensity and he shrinks. Stuttgart exposed exactly that he couldn’t dictate play, couldn’t protect the ball, and offered nothing going forward. It’s not good enough for a so-called star at this club.”
The criticism sparked divided reactions. Many Celtic supporters agreed, venting frustration on platforms like X and Reddit about Hatate’s tendency to overplay in midfield and lose possession in dangerous areas during the Stuttgart ties. Others rushed to his defence, citing injuries, tactical mismatches, and the gulf in resources between Scottish and German football. Manager O’Neill has previously backed Hatate publicly, insisting the 28-year-old remains integral to his plans and needs time to regain full sharpness. Club insiders suggest the midfielder has been working hard behind the scenes to address fitness concerns that may have affected his recent form.
This latest spotlight on Hatate comes at a pivotal moment for Celtic. With the domestic title race heating up and a Glasgow derby against Rangers looming, questions linger about squad reinforcements in midfield. Neville’s outburst has amplified calls for the club to reassess player valuations and recruitment strategy. Whether Hatate can silence the doubters with a string of strong performances remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the scrutiny from a figure like Gary Neville carries weight and could influence future discussions around his role at Parkhead.
As Celtic regroup for the remainder of the season, the episode serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of competing on the European stage. For Reo Hatate, the challenge now is to channel the criticism into motivation and prove the pundits wrong. Football rarely forgives those labelled “overrated,” and the coming weeks will define whether this talented midfielder can rise above the noise or if Neville’s verdict will stick.
