When Celtic’s players returned for pre-season in June, Reo Hatate was one notable absentee as they were being pictured entering Lennoxtown.
Hatate joined his Celtic teammates one week later as concern grew on whether the Japan international would ever return to the club this summer.
The Japanese midfielder was also posted missing for Celtic’s pre-season friendly with Shelbourne fuelling further exit speculation.
But now, Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has addressed Hatate’s absence and the reason for his no-show is not as sinister as some supporters might have first believed.
🗣️ Reo Hatate confirms his desire to leave Celtic…
Martin O’Neill explains Reo Hatate Celtic absence
As Celtic embark on the next stage of their pre-season preparations in Portugal, O’Neill has moved to address Hatate’s situation as the Hoops boss confirmed illness was behind the midfielder’s absence.
O’Neill told the Daily Record, “Reo came late to proceedings. I think he was a bit ill at the time, so he missed out on about four or five days.
“He’s doing a little bit of work and he’s catching up with us in Portugal.”
Now with the Celtic squad, Hatate has a bit of catching up to do to get his fitness up to speed ahead of the new season kick-off in three weeks’ time.
Reo Hatate’s Celtic future
Hatate has made no secret of the fact that he sees himself playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues before his career ends.
However, he has failed to impress Martin O’Neill and was used sparingly toward the end of last season. Hatate was even left out of Celtic’s Scottish Cup final matchday squad.
Rumours about a return to Japan surfaced as Hatate’s Celtic future remains in the balance.
Will Celtic fans ever see him in the green and white Hoops again? Who knows.
For now, O’Neill has put an end to the questions surrounding Hatate’s delayed return. The midfielder is back with the Celtic squad in Portugal and is now focused on making up the training ground he lost through illness.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
