Reo Hatate wants to reach the highest level, and so he should…

Celtic’s midfielder Reo Hatate during a friendly football match between Japan’s Gamba Osaka and Celtic at Suita City Stadium in the city of Suita, Osaka prefecture on July 22, 2023. (Photo by PAUL MILLER/AFP via Getty Images)

Reo Hatate said that he would like to test himself at a higher level, namely the English Premier League. When asked by the Japanese Media after the friendly win over Gamba Osaka about a potential move down south he said “If I can take on a challenge, I want to. there are things I can’t do anything about, but when I lose my ambition, I’m finished as a player. That’s a natural thing as a player.”

Celtic’s midfielder Reo Hatate and striker Daizen Maeda during a friendly football match between Japan’s Gamba Osaka and Celtic at Suita City Stadium in the city of Suita, Osaka prefecture on July 22, 2023. (Photo by PAUL MILLER/AFP via Getty Images)

This was seen by our media and some of our supporters as Reo opening the door to a switch down south. Possibly, but to me it’s more like a player who is being truthful about where his ambition lies. That’s a good thing.

Reo wants to reach the top of his game and to do that he must perform consistently at a high level for Celtic both domestically and in Europe especially in the Champions League. He’s already done that as a Celtic player and will have a second chance this season.He has also broken through into the Japan national side after a tremendous season and a half at Celtic.

The fact that he’s fully focused on that is a good thing for the club. Reo is clearly an ambitious guy and he has undoubted talent and he will leave the club for greater things one day, of that I’m certain. Hopefully he spends next season at Celtic and helps us be successful yet again. Reo still has three years remaining on his deal so there is no rush to sell him on just yet.

Next year might be different, but if he improves on the ability he has at the moment, he will get his big move and the club will benefit financially, it’s a win win situation, but hopefully not for a while yet. Reo wants to move on eventually, there is nothing wrong with that, and if and when he gets his big move, the supporters won’t grudge him one little bit.

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And it should be remembered that Celtic are looking at bringing in top young talent, developing them and then selling on for a large profit. Hatate’s personal ambitions are in line with the club’s own business model and that is a reason why more promising, emerging talent from across the world will consider signing for Celtic as a stepping stone to the bigger leagues in Europe especially the English Premier League.

And if the Scottish mainstream media hope that Hatate’s comments will create friction within the Celtic family they’re in for a major disappointment. The Celtic support understands the business model just as much as the players themselves and we’re benefiting from it with the signings we have made and the football we have watched over the past two seasons. Long may it continue.

Reo has just posted an update on his Instagram page saying: “Thank you to the players, staff and supporters of both teams regardless of the season. I’m going hard again this year.”

Looks like Reo’s here for three in a row.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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A post shared by Reo Hatate / 旗手怜央 (@reo__1121)

No problems with Hatate putting a for sale sign on his back. @CelticFC sell players dream of playing at a higher level. However, I hope Reo doesn’t think he’s better than what he is ? Yes, he’s a quality player, but still has a bit to go at Celtic. This season could define him.🍀

— Celtic Symphony (@DM8883) July 23, 2023