Reo Hatate

Reo Hatate arrived from Kawasaki Frontale on the last day of 2021 for around £1.4million, part of the Japanese contingent Ange Postecoglou brought to Glasgow in his first January window. He was man of the match on his debut against Hibernian and, two weeks later, scored twice and set up the third in a 3-0 win over Rangers – the night the title race turned.

A midfielder of real technique, Hatate became the creative heart of the side: disguised passing, late runs into the box and a long-range shot that produced some of the goals of the season, including his first in the Champions League against RB Leipzig in November 2024. He won a league title in every one of his five seasons at the club, five in all, plus two Scottish Cups and two League Cups, and finished with 33 goals from 191 appearances.

He left for Burnley on deadline day in September 2026, on a three-year deal reported to be worth around £6.5million, describing it as his first chance to play in England.

Hatate won 11 caps for Japan between 2022 and 2025, having earlier represented his country at under-23 level and at the Tokyo Olympics.