‘Definitely’ – Brendan Rodgers told ‘priceless’ Celtic hero will attract summer interest

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Celtic will have a lot of work to do in the summer to strengthen the squad for next season.

Brendan Rodgers has already started the ball rolling after securing the free transfer of Kieran Tierney to Celtic at the end of the season.

The Celtic manager will have to find a backup left-back should Greg Taylor leave the Bhoys at the end of his contract at the end of the season.

However, Rodgers now knows that there is another player he should be looking to keep hold of after being told that there will be interest in the summer for one of his top performers.

• READ MORE: ‘I wish’ – Celtic treble hero who broke Rangers’ hearts clearly regrets Parkhead exit

Stiliyan Petrov tells Celtic to brace themselves for Reo Hatate interest

Stiliyan Petrov was previewing Celtic’s Scottish Cup fixture against St Johnstone when he gushed about Hoops midfielder, Reo Hatate.

The Japan midfielder has been in good form for the Hoops this season and Petrove reckons that Rodgers will need to brace himself for interest in his ‘priceless’ Celtic star.

Petrov told The Herald, “I had seven years at Celtic. Seven very good, successful years.

“I felt that it was my time 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.

“Players like Hatate are always going to court interest. You’ve seen the kind of transfers and players that have come to Celtic over the years.”

Celtic will want ‘priceless’ Hatate to stay

Contracted until May 2028, Celtic fans know that if anyone does come in for Hatate they will need to cough up some serious cash.

However, Petrov believes that whilst the club will be monitoring this, Rodgers will want to make sure Hatate stays at the club.

Petrov continued, “When a team performs well, then it is natural that the best players attract interest. Hatate has shown such quality, and at the moment, it’s priceless to have a midfielder who has the ability to score goals and who cannot only score goals but create them too, and he has that.

“I’m sure Celtic are monitoring the situation and making sure that Hatate will stay. He’s been a big part of the club for the last few seasons.”

Since joining Celtic, Hatate has made 137 appearances scoring 26 goals and creating 25. The Japanese has also picked up three league titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups, which included a record-breaking treble.

At 27, Hatate is now just entering the peak years at the club as Celtic fans can look forward to enjoying his best years at Parkhead.