REO HATATE will be a wanted man when the new transfer window opens in the summer.
Former Celtic favourite Stiliyan Petrov is convinced the champions will have to fend off interest elsewhere for the easy-on-the-eye midfielder.
The one-time Bulgarian international playmaker, who was brought to Parkhead by rookie boss John Barnes in a £1.8million deal from CSKA Sofia in the summer of 1999, was impressed by Hatate yet again following his double in the 5-1 home win over Kilmarnock at the weekend.
The Japanese ace’s spectacular strike for the breakthrough goal early in the contest was a thing of beauty and left Petrov purring with delight.
GLASGOW BELONGS TO ME…Reo Hatate celebrates one his double in in the new Bhoy’s derby debut as Celtic triumph 3-0 at Parkhead in February 2022.
The 106 times-capped performer said: “I love everything about Hatate. He reminds me a little bit of me. He puts his head down.
“Sometimes he has his critics, but he always bounces back. He works really hard.
“He’s got that intelligence to find the space to score great goals. The other day was brilliant. He scored one of these goals, you don’t see many of these goals now with midfielders.
“But he takes the risk. He gets in the right position. He’s reliable, which I love about him.”
Hatate has been in the spotlight almost from day one at the Hoops after being brought in by Ange Postecoglou in a triple swoop on the J-League in January 2022 when he arrived along with Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi.
There was interest from France and Germany last summer, but the Hoops hierarchy fended off enquires for the classy middle-of-the-park operator who is under contract until June 2028.
Hatate, 27, has reached the same age as Petrov when he was lured from Parkhead by ex-Hoops boss Martin O’Neill to Aston Villa in a £6.5million switch in August 2006.
GLASGOW BELONGS TO ME…Stiliyan Petrov celebrates scoring in Celtic’s 6-2 derby demolition of Rangers at Parkhead in September 2000. Henrik Larsson is about to add his congratulations.
The one-time fans’ favourite, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “I had seven years at Celtic. Seven very good, successful years.
“I felt that my time was to move on and challenge myself again.
“It’s down to the player to see where he is at the moment. Is he going to be of interest to others? Definitely. At the moment, it’s priceless to have a midfielder who has the ability to score goals.
“I’m sure Celtic is definitely monitoring the situation and making sure that Hatate will stay.
“He’s been a big part of the club for the last couple of years. It seems like he always enjoys playing and works hard. When you have players like that, you always generate interest.”
Petrov added: “I’m sure Celtic have dealt with that many times and they’ll deal with it again.
“If you bring the right players, you develop the players and if the right offer comes in, then they’ll definitely consider it.”
Hatate and his team-mates will put any such thoughts in cold storage when the holders prepare for the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone at Hampden on Sunday.
And then the focus will return to the Premiership against Dundee United at Tannadice a week on Saturday where just one point will make it mathematically certain the title is heading back to the Celtic Park trophy room for the fourth successive year and the thirteenth occasion in 14 seasons.
