Clubs are ‘sniffing about’ Reo Hatate as Celtic footage emerges – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested there will be clubs “sniffing about” Reo Hatate given his impressive recent run of form at Celtic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers defender is impressed by the recruitment policy at Parkhead that has brought players like Hatate to Glasgow.
As shown on the SPFL YouTube channel, the 25-year-old scored twice in the Hoops’ 4-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday (18 February).
The Japan international was also at the double in the Celts’ 5-1 Scottish Cup victory over St Mirren the previous weekend (11 February).
The midfielder has been impressing Celtic fans ever since his arrival from Kawasaki Frontale last January.
When asked if Ange Postecoglou’s side will be worried that there could be a lot of interest in Hatate in the summer, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think that is just part of it when you play for Rangers and Celtic.
“You look at [Matt] O’Riley when he was going through a real good spell, there was talk of him possibly going.
“When Hatate first came to the club I really thought he hit the ground running then he ran out of steam a little bit but you can see why. He is all action, all energy, he is everywhere, tackling, scoring, creating.
“It would not surprise me if people are watching him. But I think credit has to go to Celtic and their recruitment policy.
“They are finding players that a lot of us did not know much about and to come in and show what they are all about so soon is great for the club and the player. So there probably is people sniffing about.“
In other news, a pundit has told Celtic to ‘cut their losses’ on Vasilis Barkas after ‘huge’ reveal.