Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has found himself at the centre of supporter discussion this week, and it has nothing to do with transfer speculation.

The Japanese international has already made it clear that he wants to leave Celtic in search of a new challenge when the time is right, but the latest reaction from supporters has been sparked by his activity on social media.

Hatate arrived from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022 and wasted little time making an impact under Ange Postecoglou. From his debut at Tynecastle onwards, he established himself as one of the most influential players in the squad and has remained an important figure over the past four-and-a-half years.

Across 189 appearances for Celtic, the 28-year-old has scored 33 goals and provided 31 assists, producing plenty of memorable moments along the way.

His role has become less certain in recent months under Martin O’Neill. Hatate missed Celtic’s opening pre-season fixture of the summer, although O’Neill confirmed afterwards that illness was the reason for his absence rather than anything related to his future.

Instead, attention has shifted elsewhere.

Supporters noticed Hatate had liked two social media posts relating to Cammy Devlin’s move to Rangers, something that quickly prompted debate online.

Some fans dismissed it as a complete non-story. Others were less impressed and questioned why a Celtic player would engage with posts involving a new Rangers signing.

That is the reality of modern football. Every interaction on social media is picked apart, particularly when it involves players at clubs with rivalries as intense as Celtic and Rangers.

For many, a couple of likes on Instagram or another platform are meaningless. Footballers know one another, regardless of the badges they wear, and social media activity does not always carry the significance supporters attach to it.

Even so, Hatate could probably have avoided the unnecessary attention. Given the reaction online, it was never going to pass unnoticed, especially with his future already a regular topic of conversation among supporters.

In the bigger picture, it is difficult to see this having any lasting effect on how Hatate is remembered at Celtic.

When his time at the club eventually comes to an end, supporters are far more likely to remember his goals, assists and match-winning performances than a couple of social media likes. His contribution on the pitch will define his Celtic career, not a moment that briefly stirred debate online.