NafisaReo Hatate now looks increasingly likely to leave Celtic this summer after Martin O’Neill’s recent selection decisions appeared to send a strong message regarding the midfielder’s future at Parkhead.
The 26-year-old Japanese international, once considered one of Celtic’s most important players under both Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers, found himself completely frozen out during the closing weeks of the campaign under O’Neill.
Hatate did not start a single match for Celtic after the damaging 2-0 defeat to Dundee United back in March and only managed three substitute appearances before the season came to an end.
More notably, the midfielder was left out entirely for Celtic’s two biggest matches of the season — the final-day Premiership title showdown against Hearts and the Scottish Cup Final victory over Dunfermline at Hampden.
Those omissions have now intensified speculation that Hatate’s time in Glasgow could be coming to an end.
While O’Neill never publicly criticised the player, many supporters have noticed the dramatic change in his role within the squad, especially considering how influential Hatate had previously been in Celtic’s midfield alongside captain Callum McGregor.
The pair had built a strong understanding over the last few years, with Hatate’s energy, movement and technical quality often complementing McGregor perfectly in big matches.
However, during the title run-in, O’Neill instead relied heavily on players like Arne Engels and Callum McGregor in midfield, with Hatate becoming increasingly peripheral as the pressure intensified.
Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has now claimed there may have been an unseen issue behind the scenes between the player and O’Neill.
Speaking on his Let Me Be Frank podcast, McAvennie suggested that some sort of fallout may have taken place during the manager’s short spell in charge.
“You know, I’m pleased for Martin,” he said.
“I’m really pleased for Martin O’Neill, because he’s come in there, and at 74, he’s been out of the game for such a long time.
“And he’s walked in, there’s obviously Japanese boys, they don’t know who this old guy is, and they’re probably saying, who’s this, he just walked in off the street.
“And that’s what Martin’s done, he’s put his arms around some of them. He got [Daizen] Maeda playing.
“I would have much liked him to get Hatate playing as well, but he fell out with Hatate apparently.
“Something’s happened. But anyway, it’s done. First stage over and they’ve won the league. I was desperate for them to win it, and they did.”
McAvennie’s comments have only increased rumours that Hatate could now be preparing to move on from Celtic after more than three years at the club.
Although nothing has officially been confirmed yet, the midfielder’s complete absence from the squad during the final two crucial fixtures has led many fans to believe O’Neill no longer sees him as part of the club’s future plans.
Should Hatate leave, it would mark the end of a hugely successful spell at Parkhead, where he played a major role in multiple league title wins and domestic cup triumphs.
For now, Celtic supporters are left waiting to see whether the midfielder’s omission was purely tactical — or the clearest sign yet that his Parkhead career is now approaching its conclusion.
Nafisa
