Reo Hatate is ‘better than O’Riley’ and will dazzle in new Celtic role – expert
Celtic can turn to Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate to help fill Matt O’Riley’s void now he has left the Scottish champions for Premier League Brighton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-Celtic striker Frank McAvennie believes the 26-year-old central midfielder is “the best player” at Celtic and is more than capable of replacing O’Riley if needs be.
Now that O’Riley has officially left the club, joining Brighton for a Scottish record fee of £25 million, Celtic have lost a player who made 31 goal contributions in the league alone last season.
The Glasgow giants are planning on entering the market to replace the Denmark international, hoping to secure the signings of two players who could help make up the numbers.
Reo Hatate capable of stepping in for Matt O’Riley at Celtic
Injury issues hampered Hatate’s progress last season but he’s started this campaign impressively, scoring once in three appearances for the club.
The Japan international is already just one goal off matching his goal tally from last season, scoring twice in Celtic’s opening four games.
“I think he’s the best player we’ve got”, McAvennie told Football Insider.
“I think he’s better than (Matt) O’Riley on his day but he got injured and he didn’t play too much.
“When he came, Ange (Postecoglu) played him in too many games and he never really got a rest after coming over from Japan.
“I looked at him at the weekend, and it was a hard game because it was absolutely chucking it down, horrible weather and there was a bit of wind.
“He just looked good. To be fair, the midfield strolled it and it was good to see.
“I just look at (Reo) Hatate and every time he gets it he looks forward and it’s brilliant to watch.
“As a striker, I would love it.”
In other news, Sheffield United respond to £5m Auston Trusty bid.
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