Reo Hatate may have been an unused substitute against Hearts at the weekend, still serving the aftermath of his sending off in Bologna, but speculation over his future continues to bubble away behind the scenes.
According to Stephen McGowan of The Herald, Hatate is once again attracting interest from clubs in England and further abroad, and it’s no surprise, given the talent the Japanese midfielder has shown since his arrival in Glasgow.
Hatate signed for Celtic in January 2022, and it didn’t take long for him to become a fans’ favourite. From a stunning debut at Tynecastle, quickly followed by a double against Rangers, to pulling strings in Europe, he’s been one of the more technically gifted and intelligent midfielders to wear the Hoops in recent years.
So far, he’s made 174 appearances for Celtic, scoring 32 goals and providing 31 assists, a terrific return from a player who often dictates the tempo of games and drives forward with purpose. However, this season has seen inconsistency playing a part in limiting his impact.
His contract runs until 2028, and that means Celtic hold all the cards when it comes to any transfer decision. By the summer, he’ll have two years left, often the tipping point for clubs deciding whether to cash in or recommit.
But let’s be clear: this is not the time to sell.
Martin O’Neill’s side are in a fight for the title. There is no margin for error, and no room to weaken the squad when every game matters. Celtic have already been criticised for a lack of January reinforcements, and losing Hatate, even for a big fee, would send the wrong message at the wrong time.
Interest in Hatate isn’t anything new; there have always been rumours surrounding the midfielder.
