Burnley boss issues verdict on Reo Hatate's debut after £6.5m Celtic exit

Former Celtic star Reo Hatate made his Burnley debut over the weekend, but while he made a positive impact, he couldn't stop the Clarets from continuing their struggles in the Championship.

Burnley are expected to be one of the promotion challengers this season following their relegation from the Premier League, but they haven't yet shown signs of taking to new boss Nicky Hayen, who was previously with Club Brugge.

The Clarets are yet to win in the league, losing three of their first five, and their latest defeat came at home to in-form Bristol City.

Former Celtic star Hatate, who left just ahead of the English deadline for a fee of £6.5million, made his debut for Burnley in the game and played 63 minutes, providing an assist for their only goal.

Speaking after the game, Burnley boss Hayen said: “You see that we now have players who can play perfectly between the lines, who can give that pre-assist but also assist, who keeps the overview. So it will be in our benefit in the upcoming weeks.

“So the goal was actually a nice example of it, but we also expect more. But you cannot expect more when you're not 100 per cent top and this is what we try to push for every day.”

Given the money Burnley committed to the Hatate deal, it's likely he will be a regular for them this season. The Japan international had been hoping for a move to a top five league, but after a disappointing season of last, that type of move was not forthcoming, leading to him settling for a Championship switch.

Burnley will be expecting to come good sooner or later, but it gets no easier for them during the week, when Hatate will get his first taste of midweek Championship football. Burnley head to North Wales to take on a Wrexham side that has only won one of their first five, despite being expected to achieve big things this season after another summer of spending.