Celtic scored in either half to overcome a stubborn Dundee United side and move 16 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Brendan Rodgers was keen to avoid a repeat of his goalless draw with Tannadice 17 days ago, sticking with the same starting XI that had easily beaten St Mirren three days earlier, with Hyun-Jun Young brought on for Nicholas Khun just before kick-off. .
They dominated from the start and Daisen Maeda scored the first goal on the rebound to warm up the crowd on a bitterly cold night at Parkhead.
The visitors, who had late chances, were well organized and frustrated the Hoops but Hatati came off the bench to fire into the roof of the net and secure another home win.
Celtic have not lost at home this season, while Dundee United remain in third place.
The Hoops were pushed all the way by United
Everyone is smiling as Celtic continue their run at the top of the Premier League
Rodgers called on some fans to be patient after they heard groans during back passes during his team’s 3-0 win over St Mirren.
He also accused supporters in the stand-up section of disrespecting left-back Greg Taylor by singing the name of transfer target Kieran Tierney.
Fans responded by recreating the songs for a full team of former players and manager Martin O’Neill.
Songs about Artur Boruc, Mikael Lustig, Billy MacNeil, Charlie Mulgrew, Tommy Burns, Victor Wanyama, Jimmy Johnston, Scott Sinclair, Gutta, Odsonne Edouard and Henrik Larsson were broadcast.
Brendan Rodgers has urged Celtic fans not to disrespect Greg Taylor
The fans rounded out their back catalog with an injury-time song about Tierney, who is believed to be on the verge of agreeing a pre-contract deal to return to Parkhead.
Jim Goodwin got little attacking energy from his players in a completely one-sided first half, but the visitors produced a major defensive change in 45 minutes that resembled an attack versus defense training session.
The United manager was frustrated with the nature of the opener after his side appeared to clear away Alistair Johnstone’s cross.
The ball fell to Luke McEwan just inside the box after Richard Odada fired in a high pass from Vico Civelli, and the former Dundee midfielder’s shot broke off Maeda to slot home after being blocked by Jack Walton.
Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for Celtic against Dundee United
Auston Trusty had earlier headed over the bar after one of 10 first-half corners from Arne Engels. The Belgian midfielder was Celtic’s most threatening player, as he also fired some sensational balls across the face of goal and came close himself on several occasions.
United finished the first half without a shot, corner kick or cross – Celtic have scored 27 goals – with just one touch in the box and 16 per cent possession.
There was a rapid improvement after the break although Kai Fotheringham and Glenn Middleton were wide from the first over.
Reo Hatate came on to double Celtic’s lead
Celtic had chances to kill the game earlier than they did. Maeda turned Taylor’s cross wide and United goalkeeper Jack Walton blocked substitute Kyogo Furuhashi’s header from another Engels corner kick.
Kasper Schmeichel made his first save in the 70th minute, diverting Middleton’s powerful shot beyond the near post and quickly heading home Fotheringham’s header.
The match remained in the balance until Hattat fired the ball into the top corner after fellow substitute Paulo Bernardo had deceived Maeda’s pass.
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