Brendan Rodgers has opened up about the ongoing speculation around the contract talks with Reo Hatate.
Hatate, who hails from Japan, has been in scintillating form for the Hoops, and his recent performance against Dundee is a testament to his importance within the squad. His influence was evident as the midfielder’s introduction in the second half saw a marked improvement in the team’s overall play.
He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, coming close in the closing stages.
Interest in the player had been mounting, with clubs from Saudi Arabia and France reportedly keeping tabs on him. This led the midfielder to request that any discussions about his future be held off until the transfer window closed.
With the window now shut, Celtic is keen on securing the services of the influential player on a long-term basis. The club’s management is hopeful of striking a deal, as securing the player’s signature has been on their agenda for some time.
When pressed for an update by Sky Sports, Rodgers did not offer much in terms of concrete information but confirmed that the talks are indeed in progress. He stated, “Clearly [I’m on board with the new contract talks]. He’s a very good player, it’s something between the club and the player. The club have been looking to tie it down for a little while. So hopefully there’s movement on that. But no update yet.”
It remains to be seen how these talks will progress, but Celtic fans will undoubtedly be hoping to see one of their star performers commit his future to the club.
