Celtic expert sure on Reo Hatate’s future after offer rejected
Celtic fans shouldn’t be worried that Reo Hatate has not put pen to paper on a new contract yet.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie insisted Hatate will stay at Parkhead at least until the end of the current campaign.
The 24-year-old’s current contract at the club runs until 2026 after he joined last January (2022).
According to journalist Anthony Joseph (23 August), the Celts have opened talks with the midfielder over an extension but Hatate has rejected the first offer from the club.
The Japan international was keen to wait until after the transfer window closed last week to continue negotiations with the club.
Hatate has been on the sidelines for the Hoops since he picked up a calf injury in the 3-1 win over Aberdeen on 13 August and missed Sunday’s 1-0 win over Rangers (3 September).
McAvennie urged fans not to panic over Hatate’s future and insisted he is committed to the club for this season.
“We have got him contracted until 2026, there is another three years left on his contract,” he told Football Insider.
“I get that he might want more money but I think we will get another year out of him before he moves.
“I would be more concerned if he did not want to continue talks and wanted to walk away now. He is a professional and he wants to play football, they just need to get him back in the team now.“
In other news, midfielder wants to quit Celtic after club make contract offer U-turn.