Reo Hatate made a stunning start to his Celtic career with a superb midfield display against Hibernian at Parkhead on Monday evening. Told Hatate cost just £1.4million, Michael Stewart was left stunned on BBC Radio Scotland.
Hatate, 24, was one of three January recruits from the Japanese J-League earlier this month. He joined Celtic alongside Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi – after Kyogo Furushashi has starred since arriving in the summer.
Both Hatate, a four-time Japan international, and Maeda started on Monday – while Ideguchi came off the bench. Hatate was superb alongside Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic in the middle of the park.
The Scotsman reported earlier this month that four-time Japan star Hatate had cost £1.4million. Stewart raved about his midfield performance, before being told he cost the bargain figure – and underlined his shock.
“You look at that first-half performance from Hatate and the guy is a top-class player,” Stewart told BBC RS (Monday, 8.35PM). “There are no two ways about that. Celtic have signed an incredibly talented player.”
When told how much Hatate was signed for, Stewart continued: “You’re kidding me on? Sorry, £1.4m for Hatate? If you can get a player like that for £1.4m, that is incredible,” Stewart continued, on Hatate.
Stewart on Hatate: What does it mean for Celtic outcast Soro?
Soro, 23, has failed to make a Scottish Premiership appearance for Celtic since September. Nir Bitton has even overtaken the Ivory Coast midfielder in the pecking order and the signing of Hatate pushes him further away.
Of course, Hatate was replaced by Ideguchi on 74 minutes – so surely, if Soro gets an offer, then the midfielder needs to go. He has less than two weeks to secure a move – but for the good of his career, he must be sold.
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