It’s a case of when Reo Hatate will leave Celtic, not if.
Not only was the Japan midfielder frozen out by Martin O’Neill towards the back end of last season, as Celtic went on to claim a domestic double.
But Hatate has also asked to leave this summer, with many wondering where he will end up because he has a desire to play in one of the top five leagues in Europe.
In the meantime, Hatate will watch his teammates – Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels – possibly be sold for a combined ‘£50 million, as discussed by the Open Goal panel.
Si Ferry labelled it ‘crazy’ that nobody has ever put big money on the table for Hatate during his peak years in Glasgow, yet here are Engels and Nygren possibly being sold for big bucks.
But Ross McCormack didn’t mince his words because he made it clear that he would happily drive Celtic’s top-scorer last season to his next destination if the rumoured ‘£26 million’ is put on the table for his services.
🗣️ Reo Hatate confirms his desire to leave Celtic…
Reo Hatate watches on as Celtic duo Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels could be sold for big bucks
Paul Slane: “I think you are going to see a lot of players from the starting XI leaving. Maeda will be away. Engels will be away. Hatate will be away. I know he didn’t play a lot.”
Ross McCormack: “The first one I would do is Nygren. £26 million, apparently!?”
Andy Halliday: “It’s embarrassing.”
McCormack: “£26 million?! I would put him in a motor and take him there myself.”
Si Ferry: “Would you, aye, in the van?”
McCormack: “Oh, 100%.”
Slane: “They will end up getting £50 million for him and Engels.”
Ferry: “Mad that’s the way football is going, isn’t it?”
Slane: “Aye, crazy.”
Ferry: “And there has never been a bid for Hatate? Crazy.”
Nobody matches Hatate’s level
Has Hatate’s form fallen off a cliff during these past 12 months? You can bet your bottom dollar it has.
That’s probably why he might struggle to get the move he absolutely desires, especially given that he was hardly used as the Hoops stormed to the title last term.
But while Nygren scored goals for fun last term. Engels became more valuable during his time out injured. Those two still haven’t hit the levels Hatate hit during his peak years in Glasgow.
On his day, nobody matched the all-action midfielder, because he could run the show and take on any game that was put in front of him in Celtic colours.
That’s probably why he might wonder what he did wrong that someone like Nygren and Engels are now being tipped to move for such huge money, and he never was.
There is no doubt that consistency played a part. But it will be interesting to see how things unfold for him in the coming weeks.
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