NafisaCeltic’s humiliating Champions League collapse against LASK has already created major tension around Parkhead, with Reo Hatate now looking increasingly determined to bring his Celtic career to an end.
The Hoops travelled to Austria with a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg and then moved four goals clear when captain Callum McGregor opened the scoring.
Yet somehow, Celtic completely collapsed.
LASK scored five unanswered goals to produce one of the most remarkable comebacks in the club’s recent European history, winning 5-1 on the night and sending Celtic crashing out 5-4 on aggregate.
The defeat sparked an explosive reaction from McGregor, who refused to protect his teammates and admitted Celtic had played with fear.
“We got what we deserved. I thought we were still passive all night.
“We actually were scared to go in the game.”
The Celtic captain also insisted that responsibility rested firmly with the players rather than allowing them to look elsewhere for excuses.
“It’s as much on the players as anything else, to be honest.
“You can’t lose that game by such a big margin, and then start looking for excuses elsewhere.
“We have to accept that.”
Those comments have only added fuel to the growing uncertainty surrounding Hatate’s future.
The Japanese midfielder has reportedly wanted to leave Celtic for much of the summer, with approaches from Panathinaikos, clubs in Austria and MLS all failing to produce a breakthrough.
Celtic have rejected the offers received so far, despite Hatate having two years remaining on his contract.
However, his situation now appears increasingly difficult.
Hatate’s Celtic future looks finished
Hatate was already believed to be looking for an exit before the LASK disaster, but the latest developments have made his position even more intriguing.
The midfielder has previously found himself falling down the pecking order, particularly towards the end of last season, and Celtic are reportedly prepared to bring in another midfielder before the transfer deadline.
That would leave Hatate facing even more competition for a place in O’Neill’s starting XI.
Football Insider have claimed Celtic have made the decision to sell the 28-year-old this summer, despite previous approaches being rejected.
The club’s intention is reportedly to add another midfielder, with Hatate then expected to find regular opportunities even harder to come by.
That could effectively push the Japan international towards the exit door.
And amid the fallout from the LASK defeat, speculation surrounding the relationship between Hatate and Celtic’s senior players has inevitably intensified.
McGregor’s brutal assessment of the team’s mentality has created an uncomfortable atmosphere around the squad, particularly after the captain publicly admitted that Celtic had been scared to play.
Celtic prepared to move on
Celtic have already strengthened their midfield with the arrival of Mika Baur from Paderborn for a reported £6.7million.
The Hoops are also monitoring further options, with Ermin Mahmic and Gvidas Gineitis among the midfielders linked with a move.
That recruitment strategy tells its own story.
Celtic are looking towards the future, while Hatate appears increasingly likely to be heading in the opposite direction.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes the midfielder could find it extremely difficult to force his way back into O’Neill’s plans if another signing arrives.
“If Celtic do add to their midfield this summer with more reinforcements, it’s only going to push Reo Hatate further down the pecking order.
“He found himself down the pecking order at the back end of last season under Martin O’Neill as Celtic were going for the title. He’s going to find it difficult, I think, to break into that Celtic side because of the competition in the engine room. Celtic are obviously open to offers for Hatate, having made him available.”
For Hatate, that could leave one obvious conclusion.
If he wants regular football elsewhere, leaving Celtic may now be his best option.
The LASK defeat changes everything
The Champions League collapse has made Celtic’s transfer situation even more complicated.
O’Neill has already admitted that his squad is “a million miles from the finished article”, while also acknowledging that Champions League football could have helped Celtic attract certain high-profile targets.
Now that Celtic have dropped into the Europa League, the manager must decide which players remain central to his plans.
Hatate’s situation appears increasingly clear.
He wants an exit, Celtic are reportedly willing to sell, and further midfield additions could make his chances of regular football even slimmer.
The LASK defeat may therefore prove to be the moment that accelerates the inevitable.
McGregor has demanded a reaction from his teammates.
O’Neill wants a stronger squad.
And Hatate appears to be looking towards the exit.
With the transfer deadline approaching, all eyes will now be on whether Celtic receive an offer capable of finally taking the Japanese midfielder away from Parkhead.
If that happens, Hatate’s Celtic story could be coming to a very dramatic end.
Nafisa
