Martin O’Neill named a strong squad for Celtic’s pre-season opener against Shelbourne, but one notable absentee immediately caught the eye.
Reo Hatate was nowhere to be seen.
The Japanese midfielder returned to pre-season training last week and has been pictured back at Lennoxtown alongside his teammates.
Yet when O’Neill named his matchday squad, Hatate’s name was missing.
It is an intriguing omission.
Hatate did report back a day or two later than most of the squad following his international commitments, but so too did Liam Scales, for example, who was included.
That suggests there may be more to the decision than simply managing his return.
Whether it is a fitness issue, a precaution, or something else entirely remains unclear.
Naturally, the absence will fuel speculation.
Hatate has been linked with a move away from Celtic throughout the summer, with reports suggesting clubs across Europe and Asia continue to monitor his situation.
His role also diminished towards the end of last season.
During the Premiership split, he was largely used from the bench, making just two substitute appearances as Martin O’Neill reshaped his midfield.
That has inevitably led to questions over what the future holds.
For now, there is nothing to suggest an exit is imminent.
However, his omission from the first pre-season fixture is one to keep an eye on.
Celtic are due to travel to Portugal for the next stage of their preparations, where new signing Camilo Duran is expected to join the squad after completing his medical.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also expected to link up with the group following the activation of his contract extension.
Whether Hatate is on the plane could provide the next clue regarding his future.
For now, his absence against Shelbourne is the standout talking point from O’Neill’s first team selection of the summer.
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