NafisaAs Celtic prepare for another crucial summer of squad planning, the club hierarchy are already facing several difficult decisions behind the scenes.
With Champions League ambitions once again at the forefront, every major call made over the coming weeks could shape the direction of the club heading into next season.
Recruitment plans are ongoing, potential arrivals are being discussed, and attention is also turning towards players whose futures remain uncertain.
Supporters have already witnessed significant developments regarding the managerial position, with Martin O’Neill now expected to lead the club into the new campaign. While that news has been welcomed by many, it appears not every member of the current squad shares the same enthusiasm about what comes next.
In fact, one of Celtic’s most recognisable and admired stars may already have decided that his future lies away from Parkhead.
The midfielder has been a fan favourite for years, producing memorable performances, crucial goals and moments of brilliance that helped define some of the club’s biggest successes in recent seasons.
However, the relationship now appears to be approaching its conclusion.
According to reports from Stephen McGowan of The Herald, Reo Hatate has informed Celtic that he wants to leave the club during this summer transfer window.
The Japanese international is understood to have made his feelings clear as uncertainty surrounding his role in the squad continued to grow.
Hatate arrived at Celtic in January 2022 alongside Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi after being identified by Ange Postecoglou.
While some questioned whether he would adapt to Scottish football, those concerns were quickly silenced.
He announced himself with a stunning strike against Hearts before delivering a sensational man-of-the-match performance against Rangers that immediately elevated his status among the Celtic support.
Over the following months, Hatate became one of the most important players in the squad, earning praise from across Europe and attracting interest from clubs in larger leagues.
His ability on the ball, eye for a pass and knack for producing moments of quality made him a permanent fixture in the midfield.
Yet things have changed dramatically since those early days.
The consistency that once defined his performances gradually faded, and many supporters believe the departure of Postecoglou in 2023 marked the beginning of that decline.
Although Hatate continued to produce flashes of brilliance under Brendan Rodgers, his influence never quite returned to the level that first captured the imagination of the Celtic faithful.
Now, following Martin O’Neill’s agreement to become Celtic’s permanent manager on a one-year deal with an option for an additional season, Hatate appears ready to move on.
Reports suggest the midfielder has effectively handed in a transfer request and has informed those at the highest levels of the club that he wants a move away from Glasgow.
With two years still remaining on his contract until 2028, Celtic remain in a strong negotiating position. However, it now seems increasingly likely that discussions will focus on securing the best possible deal rather than convincing the player to stay.
For many supporters, the news will come as a bitter disappointment.
Hatate has been responsible for some unforgettable moments in a Celtic shirt and, on his day, remains one of the most gifted midfielders to wear the hoops in recent years.
But football rarely stands still.
If his mind is truly made up, Celtic may decide that cashing in this summer and reinvesting the funds into the next generation of talent is the most sensible path forward.
A player who once looked destined to spend many more years at Parkhead now appears to be heading towards the exit door, bringing another significant chapter in Celtic’s recent history closer to its end.
Nafisa
