News that Brendan Rodgers wants to tie down Liel Abada and Reo Hatate on improved terms is great news if we can get it done. Both players are superstars in the making and it’s only a question of when and not if they make it to the top of the footballing tree. Their limitless abilities are there for all to see and it would be a real coup if the club can get these guys signed on for longer.
The footballing returns are obvious to see; Hatate is a potentially world-class midfielder and his vision and passing range is what sets him apart from just about everyone else. Likewise, Liel is still so very young, yet has amassed some amount of goals and assists for the club despite not being a regular starter. He’s lethal in front of goal, and if he keeps doing it for Celtic domestically, then transfers it to a higher level in Europe, he would net himself a massive move at some point.
Both players are distinctly within the player-trading model we have tried our best to develop over the years too. Buying low and selling high is the strategy and we have already developed these guys to a very good level over the past wee while. If we get them to sign longer deals, We protect our assets too, and that means that further down the line with more coaching and development, we can look to net even more money than we would have at this point.
It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Get it done, Celtic.
Paul Gillespie
