In a surprising turn of events, Celtic’s Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate has reportedly rejected a contract extension offer from the club. According to SunSport, Hatate has knocked back the opportunity to extend his stay beyond his current deal, which is in place until 2026.

This news will come as a shock to Celtic fans, especially after the club’s successful summer, where they managed to secure long-term deals with both Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi. The Hoops were hopeful that Reo would follow suit and re-sign with the club, solidifying the Japanese connection that had been flourishing since Ange Postecoglou brought them in from the J-League.

While there’s no direct speculation, there’s a belief among Celtic fans that Postecoglou, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur and was the man who signed Reo for Celtic, could come in for Hatate over the next 6 to 12 months. This connection between the player and the former manager could be a factor in Hatate’s decision, though this remains pure conjecture at this point.

Reo’s current situation is further complicated by his recent injury. He limped off against Aberdeen on Matchday two of the SPFL, leaving fans concerned about his immediate future with the club. His recovery will be closely monitored, and his absence on the pitch has already been felt.

Despite the rejection, Celtic, and Brendan Rodgers, still hold all the cards. With three years left on the Celtic star’s deal, the club has ample time to negotiate and find common ground with Hatate. While Celtic could still convince Reo to stay, they can demand a huge fee for him in the next 12 months, should they decide to part ways.

The management will surely be keen to secure his future, given his importance to the team and the vision of the club. Reo Hatate’s rejection of the contract extension is undoubtedly a blow to Celtic, but it’s far from a closed.