Celtic have a number of worries at this point in time. Just three games into the 2023/24 season and they are already out of the Scottish League Cup, something which nobody would have expected when Brendan Rodgers was reappointed as the club’s manager. After all, he had not lost a single domestic competition in Scotland the first time around.
An even bigger problem for Celtic right now is their rapidly growing injury list. Several key players are out on the sidelines.
Amongst them is Reo Hatate. He picked up an injury in the game against Aberdeen and is expected to be out for 3-4 weeks. There is another worry surrounding the Japanese midfielder though.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Hatate has rejected a contract extension at Celtic. The club’s chiefs had hoped to extend his deal but the terms offered to the Japanese midfielder have been turned down.
Celtic player rejects the club’s contract extension offer
There are a couple of reasons why Hatate might have turned down a chance to extend his deal. The first would be him potentially wanting to leave in the future. One cannot overlook all the rumours surrounding the Japanese international. He was expected to depart for the Premier League in this window but it has not materialised.
The second might have to do with his situation in the team. Hatate did not start either of the first two league games of the season before getting injured. Thus, it is unclear where he stands in Rodgers’ plans right now.
It might be simply down to the fact that he does not like the terms on offer. But the possibility of him extending has not been completely ruled out.
There is no doubt about one thing. When on top of his game, Hatate is one of the best players Celtic have.