MARTIN O’NEILL has offered Reo Hatate a way back at Celtic.
The Japanese playmaker has yet to feature in the first team this season and failed to make the matchday squads for the crucial last two encounters of the previous campaign.
Hatate was in the stand on both occasions when the Hoops sealed the title with their 3-1 win over Hearts at Parkhead on May 16 and then again when the team clinched the double a week later with an identical scoreline against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden.
The 28-year-old midfielder, who is under contract until 2028, looks to be surplus to requirements at the champions with the transfer deadline is just 15 days away.
BY THE RIGHT…a determined Reo Hatate in action.
Greek giants Panathinaikos have been linked with the player, but reports suggest Hatate’s ambition is to perform in one of the top five leagues.
However, O’Neill insists the skilful operator could yet have a part to play at Celtic – if he is still at the club after the transfer window closes.
Looking at Hatate’s current situation, the Hoops gaffer said: “I think there have been a number of tentative enquiries.
“Nothing has come up that is beneficial to him or the football club. But that might change.
“If it did not change, I would be happy. Reo is a fine footballer.
“He has dropped down the pecking order at this moment, but if he could recapture the form he showed two seasons ago he would still be an asset.”
O’Neill, speaking to the Scottish Daily Mail, added: “Any player who feels as if they are being squeezed and they want to play and they feel they are not going to play then playing is the most important thing.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Martin O’Neill with Reo Hatate during Celtic’s crucial 2-1 Premiership win over Hibs at Easter Road in May.
“Paulo Bernardo has gone on loan because he did not want to be sitting in the stand for games.
“And while no-one pushed him out the door, he thought we might try to get another of couple of players in, so he has gone on loan.”
O’Neill selected Hatate in his 25-man UEFA player pool and there is every likelihood the smooth operator will be involved in the matchday squad against Austria’s LASK in the first leg of the Champions League play-off at Parkhead tomorrow night.
But will Hatate get on the pitch?
As ever in recent times, that is the question.
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