Celtic

Celtic: Reo Hatate’s performances will attract interest from England and Europe

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Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate’s performances for the club are going to “bring him onto the radar” of other top European and English sides.

That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest updates from Celtic Park. 

Celtic signed Hatate from Kawasaki Frontale at the beginning of the January transfer window of this year, with the 24-year-old helping Ange Postecoglou’s side to a Scottish Premiership triumph at the end of his first season at the club.

The one-time Japan international is one of a number of successful Japanese signings brought to the club since Postecoglou took over as manager, something which the Celtic boss has told people to not be “lazy” about.

And O’Rourke believes that Hatate’s performances will now be attracting interest from clubs in both England and across Europe.

“Yeah, as you said, how Hatate has come in after arriving last January, he’s had an instant impact for Celtic.

“He’s performed well in the league and also now doing well in the Champions League.

“Those types of performances are only going to bring him onto the radar of other top clubs across Europe and England.

“So yeah, I’m sure with the success that Celtic are having it brings more scrutiny onto your players.”

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TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke 

We agree with O’Rourke and believe that if Hatate can keep this level of performance up, he may not be plying his trade in Scotland for much longer.

The Suzuka-born midfielder, who has been described as “one of the biggest bargains in football” by journalist Will Lancaster, has made 27 appearances for the Glasgow giants since signing in January, scoring four goals and providing five assists in that time according to Transfermarkt. 

And an average SofaScore rating of 7.20 for his performances in the Scottish Premiership over the current campaign suggest that the former J League star has been an incredibly consistent presence in the middle of the park so far this season.

Therefore, we believe that Celtic should look to offer the midfielder a new contract ahead of the January transfer window, if they are to secure his services for the remainder of the season.

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