Celtic can now devote its attention throughout the next two weeks to things other than the field of play because the international break has arrived.
Now that Reo Hatate has been committed to a longer-term contract, Brendan Rodgers can concentrate on that simple task. There were concerns that the Japanese midfielder would quit after rejecting the Hoops’ offer of an extended deal in the summer.
However,Reo Hatate of Sky Sports reports that Hatate is reportedly open to staying at the club and that contract negotiations will soon resume.
“He and Liel Abada have three years left on their contracts, but Celtic only wants to bring them close to the top earners since they are such key players and also wants to extend their contracts to guard them against potential offers.
Hatate is willing to negotiate even if he rejected the initial offer. I anticipate that Celtic and Hatate’s representatives will meet soon to complete that.
Celtic must put a high focus on signing Hatate.
Hatate’s contract extension must now take precedence over the next two weeks because the transfer window is now closed and Brendan Rodgers has the players he needs.
The Japanese international has established his value to the team over his two seasons with the club. Hatate having the ability to compete in the Champions League, which the Celtic desperately lack if they are to have any chance of making it past the group stage this season.
There is no disputing that the team has had a difficult time without him. That was demonstrated by the loss to Kilmarnock and the draw with St. Johnstone..jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
The club and the Celtic supporters would benefit greatly if Hatate signed a new, long-term deal to join Kyogo, Liel Abada, and Daizen Maeda.
‘Wonderful’: Robbie Savage was quite impressed with a 28-year-old Celtic player against Rangers yesterday.
