Thomas Hatton set for Celtic exit as Ayr United agree loan move

The 20-year-old caught the eye during Martin O’Neill’s pre-season preparations and remained around the first-team picture before returning to Celtic B for competitive action.

According to TCW, Hatton, who scored in the B team’s 3-1 Challenge Cup victory over Hamilton Academical last week, is set to head to Somerset Park for the remainder of the campaign.

The move comes after Hatton earned significant praise from O’Neill following Celtic’s final pre-season friendly against AC Milan last month.

Hatton came off the bench and went close to scoring, with his willingness to run directly at defenders particularly impressing the Celtic boss.

O’Neill said: “I just congratulated Tam for his spell on the field. He’s prepared to take people on. I think that’s like a dying art, which is great.

“He’ll get all the encouragement in the world.

“And now he’s a young lad making his way in the game. Obviously, there’s a battle on to try and get him to the side like anything else.

“But I was really impressed with him. As I have been impressed with his attitude during the whole pre-season.”

Hatton remains under contract at Celtic until the summer of 2028 and is predominantly a left winger, although he can also operate from the right.

A season in the Scottish Championship should now provide the youngster with valuable first-team experience.

Gary Naysmith’s Ayr currently sit second in the Championship after two matches and were narrowly knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by Kilmarnock on Friday.

Hatton will become the latest Celtic youngster to head out on loan, with Aidan Rice and Owen Hartington already at Dumbarton, while Kyle Ure is also expected to join Crewe Alexandra.