Reo Hatate has certainly made his mark in the past year as a Celtic player. After joining the Hoops, he made an instant impact, scoring key goals in matches against Hearts and The Rangers.
In particular, his performance in the Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park, in which Celtic won 3–0, was especially memorable and will ensure that Reo‘s name will be remembered fondly in the Celtic community long after he has departed.
The Japanese midfielder‘s performance declined towards the end of last season, as he acknowledged that a full season in the J–League followed by an intense beginning to his Celtic career had exhausted him physically and mentally.
He is proving to be a real gem in the Celtic side and is now regarded as a key player in the team. Reo has been a constant in the Celtic side this season, consistently demonstrating his worth with top performances.
His most recent match against Aberdeen showcased his brilliance, as he displayed his impressive vision, technique, and finishing abilities. His influence in the team is undeniable, and has earned his place as a key player in the squad.
While I won’t be in a hurry to push the Celtic star out the door, we all know Celtic is not the final destination for Reo. I’m pragmatic enough to know the player will be heavily sought after within the next 12 months.
Reo‘s trajectory in the game is on the rise, and if he continues to perform for Celtic over the coming year, there is the potential for him to become the club‘s next £20m player. This progress may even culminate in a call–up to the Japan squad, having missed out on the World Cup in Qatar.
Celtic have sold two players in that region. Moussa Dembele was just a drop below the £20m mark at £19.8m when the French striker made the move to Lyon. Kieran Tierney smashed the barrier, going to Arsenal for £25m and stands as Celtic’s biggest ever sale.
I believe that Reo is unlikely to set a transfer record for Celtic, but if he continues to develop and demonstrate his abilities while playing in Europe for the club, it is highly probable that they would receive a substantial amount of money for him when the time comes – assuming he’s under contract.
I do not wish for a deal involving any of our best players to be rushed into. On the contrary, I believe they should remain at the club for as long as possible. However, there will eventually come a point when it is mutually beneficial for the club and the player to move on. It is important for Celtic to remain committed to identifying and nurturing talent, such as Reo, to ensure continued success.
