REO HATATE will join the Celtic exodus in the summer.
Martin O’Neill omitted the Japanese international midfielder from the Hoops squad for the final two crucial games of the campaign, the Premiership decider against Hearts and the Scottish Cup showpiece against Dunfermline.
Hatate was clearly unhappy about the double snub and has told the champions he wants to leave, according to a report in The Herald.
The 28-year-old made only one start – the dismal 2-0 loss to Dundee United at Tannadice on March 22 – in the crucial run-in and struggled for game time when Arne Engels returned from injury.
SPOT ON…Reo Hatate strikes a nonchalant pose after sinking a penalty-kick in Celtic’s 4-2 win in the shoot-out in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox in March.
Hatate, who still has two years to run on his contract, was signed by Ange Postecoglou from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022 and won five league titles, three Scottish Cup and two League Cup medals in his 189 appearances.
It is unlikely O’Neill, now back in charge on a permanent basis, or the club will stand in fans’ favourite’s way.
His countryman Daizen Maeda, who arrived at Parkhead at the same time, is also on his way and the Hampden appearance against Neil Lennon’s Fifers is likely to be his last hurrah as a Celt, as CQN reported last month.
The jet-heeled forward played a key role for the team in the silverware crescendo with eight goals in six games – including the memorable acrobatic overhead-kick for the final strike in the 2-1 victory over Danny Rohl’s Ibrox outfit at Parkhead.
Maeda came close to joining Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in a £14million move last summer before the Hoops hierarchy pulled the plug when a replacement could not be found for the frontman who claimed 33 goals the previous term.
THE LAST HURRAH…Daizen Maeda chips in Celtic’s opening goal in the 3-1 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Dunfermline at Hampden.
Belgian international playmaker Engels was a £25million target for Nottingham Forest in January before the bid was rejected and he, too, could be on the move within the next couple of months with interest from several Serie A clubs.
Stephen Welsh, who had two loan spells at Motherwell during the season, has had his contract ripped up while Honduran international winger Luis Palma will join Polish side Lech Poznan on a permanent basis after his season-long switch.
Tomas Cvancara has already returned to Borussia Monchengladbach after his short-term deal and other loan signings Julian Araujo, Marcelo Saracchi, Benjamin Arthur, Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka will also be reconnecting with their parent clubs.
There are also reports Japanese left-back Hayato Inamura, whose only start came in the 3-0 home win over Livingston in August, will see his loan at FC Tokyo become permanent.
Returning gaffer O’Neill will have his work cut out for him as he supervises a massive overhaul of the squad as he prepares for the new crusade.
IT’S THE BOOK DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can now own a copy of ‘Celtic 50 Flags Plus One’ AND ‘Celtic Treble Treble’ for only £9.95 plus postage. Two stunning Celtic publications and you can save a massive £20! Order now! Just click the image for details and your books will be on their way. Happy reading!
