Martin O'Neill shows class by offering olive branch to wanataway Celtic star

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has offered something of an olive branch to Reo Hatate. The Japanese international has been heavily linked with a move away amid a reported desire to find a new challenge this summer.

Hatate was once one of Celtic's very best players, but he struggled last season and missed out on the Japan World Cup squad as a consequence. There has been talk of some bad blood between O'Neill and Hatate, but that does not seem to be the case.

Hatate could yet stay

Hatate has not yet been involved for Celtic this summer, perhaps due to performances, perhaps due to transfer speculation or perhaps even a mix of both.

The attacking midfielder has seen Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels land new challenges this summer, but his form means such opportunities are not going to be as forthcoming.

But there is still an opportunity for him to rediscover his best form at Parkhead, still under contract until 2028.

“I think there are a number of tentative enquiries,” O’Neill has said, speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League qualifier with LASK. “Nothing has come up that is beneficial to him or the club. But that might change. If it did not change I would be happy.

“Reo is a fine footballer. He has dropped down the pecking order at this moment. But if he could recapture the form he showed two seasons ago he would still be an asset. Any player who feels as if they are being squeezed and they want to play and they feel they are not going to play, then playing is the most important thing.

“A bit like Paulo Bernardo. He has gone on loan (to Gornik Zabrze) because he did not want to be sitting in the stand for games. And while no one pushed him out the door he thought we might try to get another couple of players in so he has gone certainly until January.”

Those comments suggest a move remains likely for Hatate, but it is big of O'Neill to open the door to minutes on the pitch if one does not come about. Hatate may well have been feeling as though it is a case of move on or face being outcast, but that does not seem to be the case.

Although, he is going to have to improve his form to get minutes at Celtic, and perhaps even anywhere else.