Reo Hatate is someone who has divided the opinion of Celtic fans lately. Of course, there is absolutely zero doubt about his ability. We have seen him deliver at the Champions League level against clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. On his day, the Japanese international is a fantastic midfielder and one the Hoops are lucky to have.
But then, one cannot overlook his inconsistent form. It often feels like Hatate is the type of player who rises to the occasion but is not as good against domestic opposition.
That has not stopped him from being linked with a move away from Celtic though. In fact, that has been the case for a while although a move has never really materialised.
The issue is that Hatate has not put together an impressive enough season to draw the interest of top clubs. So, is this the right moment for him to leave Celtic?
Celtic: Reo Hatate exit rumours suddenly pick up pace
As reported by the Daily Record, Keith Jackson said when talking about a potential Hatate exit:
"I think there is something in the Reo Hatate stuff. I'm not saying he's been agitating but similar to Kyogo, I think that he has intimated that he's doe his bit, so it would feel like a natural parting."
To be honest, it would not come as a major surprise if Hatate is considering a Celtic exit in the summer. He has been at the club since early 2022 and might be looking for a different challenge now.
On the other hand, Celtic are also being linked with a potential move for Lennon Miller of Motherwell, who has also drawn the interest of clubs like Liverpool and Lyon. So, things are certainly starting to get interesting.
Could we see Hatate leave Celtic in the summer while Miller is brought in? Time shall tell. For now, the focus has to be on ending the season with a treble. After that, the Hoops can start thinking about key players leaving and being signed.