Celtic news: Promoted Premier League club tipped to swoop for Reo Hatate after £1.4m reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Premier League sides may already be plotting a move to sign Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate this summer.
The former Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 24-year-old’s performances will have caught the eye of scouts south of the border.
As reported by the Scotsman (2 February), Celtic paid £1.4million to sign Hatate from Kawasaki Frontale last month.
The midfielder has made a sensational start to life at Parkhead, with three goals in four games.
Two of those strikes came in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Rangers, while he contributed the assist for Liel Abada’s goal.
Whelan suggested lower half Premier League teams may already be plotting a move for Hatate.
Asked if he thought clubs in England would be interested in signing Hatate, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “They will be.
“It might not be the top four in the Premier League but it might be people who get promoted from the Championship to the Premier League.
“Right now he’s under contract, right now he’s got to show that consistency that he’s already done.
“Postecoglou has put his trust in Hatate by bringing him to the Scottish Premiership where it’s not easy to play.
“He’s showing what a brilliant signing, what a snip of a signing he’s been and what’s to come.
“I think everybody at Celtic, including the fans, are all excited by what they’ve seen so far.”
Hatate has started all but one game for Celtic since his move to Glasgow.
The four-cap Japan international played 77 times for Kawasaki Frontale before joining the Bhoys.
In other news, pundit claims senior player could lead exodus out of Parkhead.