'You should expect better' - Neil Lennon brands Reo Hatate sending off 'naive' as Celtic draw with Bologna in Europa League

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TNT Sports pundits Neil Lennon and Alan Hutton reflected on Celtic's 2-2 draw with Bologna, criticising Hoops midfielder Reo Hatate for his red card in the first half. The Japanese international had opened the scoring early on, only to later earn two yellow cards within a handful of minutes and cause his side to go to down to 10 men. The UEFA Europa League is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Hatate branded 'petulant' for 'naive' red card in Bologna

Video credit: TNT Sports

After scoring Celtic's opening goal, Reo Hatate's bright start against Bologna quickly faded as he was shown a red card in their Europa League clash.

Hatate had taken advantage of Lukasz Skorupski's mistake in the opening five minutes to put Celtic ahead.

But 30 minutes later, the Japan international clipped the heel of Bologna's Juan Miranda and was given a second yellow card just a few minutes after his first.

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TNT Sports pundit and former Celtic player and manager Neil Lennon called his first challenge "lazy."

"From a player of his calibre, you should expect better. This is a clear yellow card," Lennon said regarding the first challenge.

"He's pulled at [Lewis] Ferguson and then he's kicked out at him. It's lazy, there's no need for it, he's not going anywhere. So that warrants a yellow card.

"And then obviously in a game as physical as this, you always on a tightrope.

"Miranda plays the game, he gets across and tries to block his run, unfortunately Reo just has a little clip at him and gives the referee a decision to make."

Hatate's sending off left Celtic up against it. And despite Auston Trusty's goal shortly after Hatate left the pitch, Martin O'Neill's side held on for a 2-2 draw.

Alan Hutton also gave his thoughts on the sending off, calling Hatate's challenge "naive."

"I think it's just naive. You know you've already been booked two and a half minutes just before that," he explained.

"So to then kick out a little bit. He's unhappy that he's lost the ball and wants to keep possession, and he's just thrown that right leg out just a touch. He's not really made a lot of contact, it's just naive, you know as a player you can't get away with that.

"Especially in European competition. And then they're down to 10 men and it's always going to be difficult."

Highlights: Hatate from hero to zero as 10-man Celtic hold off Bologna

Video credit: TNT Sports

Celtic manager O'Neill, who was visibly enraged by the decision when it happened, had seemingly calmed down by the final whistle and was proud of his side for fighting back to earn a point despite playing with 10 men.

The 73-year-old called the challenge "innocuous." He said: "The second, he stamps on his foot, but that was a complete accident.

"I must admit, you would say 'just be careful, you've just been booked before that.' But I think it was really innocuous and of course it's a major game-changer.

"Suddenly the game turns and you're having to sit and defend for long periods of the second half, we couldn't get out."

'We're fighting to the end' - O'Neill

O'Neill was outwardly proud of his squad for fighting back and leaving Italy with a point.

Sitting in 24th in the Europa League table, they now need a win against Utrecht to ensure they qualify for the knockout phase play-off.

"I thought it was a magnificent effort by the team," O'Neill said. "We played some really great stuff and we naturally got the second goal.

"But the sending off takes place, we have to defend and sit in for long periods in the second half. But the football club itself is built on heart and desire.

"I thought the players showed that tonight, they showed it in abundance. It was a magnificent effort.

"We were under severe pressure in the second half and we saw it through."

Second in the Scottish Premiership and six points behind Hearts, Celtic have the chance to close the gap on the league leaders when they travel to Tynecastle on Sunday.

"We've left ourselves a lot to do," O'Neill added. "A lot to do in the league. And because of previous results, we've left ourselves a lot to do in this competition.

"But we're fighting. We're fighting and we're going right to the end. We've got a big game on Sunday now, and that will be a major test for us.

"That's the sort of spirit that's imbued now in the team. And the spirit alone won't carry you through, you do need extra, of course, but that's the start."

Lennon hails Celtic 'character' to hold out for 'massive point' in Bologna

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Lennon and Hutton both also praised Celtic's character and resolve to come away with a draw.

"They had to really dig deep and they've come away with a fantastic point. They had to defend so many crosses, defend so many shots," Lennon said.

"Auston Trusty was immense tonight, as was [Liam] Scales alongside him. To come away with a point against a really good side in Italy, you would have taken that before the game.

"And at 65-70 minutes you thought that opportunity might have gone. They've shown a lot of character and resolution so it's a massive point."

Hutton added: "They showed real character, real determination to get through that. It was always going to be difficult away from home. For me, the dilemma at half-time for Martin O'Neill was how was he going to approach the second half?

"Yes they lost two goals and had to hang on in, but they then went for it towards the end. That's the character that they showed to try and get up the pitch and get all three points.

"But being away from home, coming with a point that they need, it's an excellent performance after going down to 10 men so early on."

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