Reo Hatate tells Celtic exactly where his focus is amid transfer murmurs as unseen advisor revealed

Daily Record

3 hours ago

The midfielder has been tipped for a move to Serie A side Udinese this summer
The 27-year-old was a key figure in the Celtic midfield engine room last season - with his absence felt by Brendan Rodgers side during the Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen.
‌
But despite being denied a domestic clean sweep last season, Hatate was able to claim Premiership and League Cup winners medals and is said to be attracting interest from across Europe.
‌
Udinese are said to be leading the race - with Zico pitching his former side to the Hoops' star.
And it's the Brazilian icon's advice that has left a lasting impression on the Japan international - to go and win even more silverware.
He told The Sun: "The moment we won the title, I felt a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment unlike anything I had ever felt before.
"In the previous season, I was injured repeatedly and played only 16 league games. This year, I was able to play in many more and contribute.
"I could also feel my growth as a player, defensively and in attack. I feel I have performed better than ever last season since joining Celtic. That is why I felt like I did when we won the league.
"However, I also remember some golden words from Zico that former player Atsuto Uchida once said. They were, 'When you retire as a player, all that remains is the number of titles you have won'.
‌
"Hearing that, I'm proud to have added another league title to my career this season.
"Winning cups and leagues is a cumulative effort. We play in a team and environment that allows us to aim for the title and we achieved it.
"But after a while, people forget how well a player performed in that season and what kind of level they showed.
‌
"Numbers of goals and assists are there, but the record of winning a title will remain forever."
That could hint that Hatate is only looking to make a move if he has a realistic shot a trophies - and he has told potential suitors he has grown as a player at Parkhead.
He went on: "I feel like my experience in the Champions League has helped me grow.
‌
"When playing against stronger teams, I've had many opportunities to play side-by-side with the captain Callum McGregor, our main defensive midfielder.
"By doing that, I began to observe the opponent's positioning more.
‌
"With high pressing becoming mainstream worldwide, when we build up from a low position, the player with the ball is generally free.
"Someone will come to press that free player. At that time, I have become aware of who is coming to press and where there is an opening.
"As a result, I was able to see who was where and how they would move to see where the space would open up.
‌
"This was not only true for deep positions, but also for higher positions in the opponent's half, which broadened my field of vision and options.
"During the attacking process, I can play as a No 6 but in front of goal I can play as a No 10.
"I feel I am able to judge when I should shoot or pass better than before, and this resulted in more goals and assists.
"I have also become more aware of when players are coming to press and where openings can be."
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.