Rodgers must drop Hatati to unleash Celtic's impressive 'match-winner'

Celtic are back in action in the Scottish Premiership at lunchtime today as they prepare to travel away to Dundee United for an early start.

Although this is his fifth season in charge of the Hoops, spanning two spells, this is Brendan Rodgers' first visit to Tannadice Park, and he is hoping it will be a successful one.

The Premier League champions go into this fixture having won the League Cup at Hampden Park on penalties against Rangers last weekend.

Rodgers could look to make some adjustments to the starting XI lined up at the National Stadium, including dropping Ryo Hatate from the squad.

Why should Reo Hatate be dropped?

The Japan international was named to start the final and lined up in midfield alongside captain Callum McGregor and summer signing Paulo Bernardo.

But unfortunately, the experienced midfielder failed to show the best version of himself at Hampden Park, as his performance was rewarded with a Player rating: 6/10 by Daily Logwho wrote that he “struggles to exert himself” in the game.

Then Football FanCast published an article Explains why the Celtic star was brutally left out of the starting line-up next time out, as his lackluster play in the middle of the park left him vulnerable to being left out.

Hatati, who has contributed just one goal and no assists in his last nine appearances for club and country in all competitions, must now be removed from the squad after a disappointing display in the final.

Removing the Japanese maestro from the starting lineup will open the door for another player to step up, and Rodgers must unleash Luke McCowan from the start.

Why should Luke McCowan start for Celtic?

The Scottish Dynamo were not eligible to take part in the final, having played Dundee in a previous round, but should now return to the squad after missing out completely last weekend.

Celtic signed the left-footed player, who was Described as a “game winner” By Marvin Bartley, from Dundee in the summer transfer window as an experienced Premier League player, and he has been an impressive feat so far.

McEwan has started Two of the club's last three League matches and contributed one goal and three assists from midfield – more goal contributions than Hattat was able to achieve in his last nine matches for club and country.

As you can see in the table above, the Hoops star has been incredibly productive in the final third despite only starting half of his appearances in the division.

This indicates the quality he can offer in midfield as a star who does not need regular playing time to be included in the team and is expected to perform well.

Therefore, Rodgers must unleash McCowan from the start to provide a boost of attacking quality against Hattat, who has struggled in this regard recently.