Latest news with #Hatate
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
There is one Celtic star who Brendan Rodgers is happy to see buck the trend in bid to prove he has the chops
Brendan Rodgers will be pacing the living room and chewing his fingernails down to the bone over the next few weeks. Most managers deal with international breaks through gritted teeth but the June set of fixtures have the ability to drive club gaffers up the wall. Celtic gaffer Rodgers has eight stars off on national service when he'd much rather they were at home or lying by a pool with the feet up for a few weeks after a long, hard slog of a season. The Hoops already have Reo Hatate and James Forrest set for a summer on the treatment table, along with Jota who is out until 2026. Adam Idah and Liam Scales are on Ireland duty, Anthony Ralston with Scotland, Kasper Schmeichel will look to bounce back from Hampden heartache with Denmark, with Yang Hyun-jun and Viljami Sinisalo with Korea and Finland respectively and exile Luis Palma reporting for Honduras. Rodgers will keep keeping fingers crossed for his main men, but there is one player the Irishman might be glad to see in action this summer. Paulo Bernardo. The midfielder will finish off his time with the Portugal youth set up at the Under 21 Euros in Slovakia, which kick off next week. And the games against France, Poland and Georgia – with the prospect of more in the knockout stages – could be just what the playmaker needs to recapture some form. Bernardo has already made 28 appearances at under 21 and he could set a new national record if he plays the three group games. And these clashes could be just what the 23-year-old needs after a season that failed to catch fire. The former Benfica youngster turned his initial loan move into a permanent deal last summer for £3.5m and it looked a no brainer at the time. Bernardo hadn't always been a regular in his first campaign but he'd shown more than enough to suggest he was worth snapping up for the long term. There were goals against Rangers and a huge impact in the Scottish Cup Final. When Arne Engels checked in for £11m weeks later, it didn't seem like he'd be battling it out with the Belgian for a berth. It was Hatate who was the one whose future looked uncertain, with talk of several clubs in England and beyond keeping tabs. Twelve months on and the Hatate exit chat remains. But whether Bernardo is up to being the ready made replacement is more up for debate. There's no doubting his ability. Yet progress stalled over the last term. Bernardo picked up an injury in the Scottish Cup against Raith Rovers in February and while he was back within six weeks, he struggled to find top form and momentum. He had a big opportunity at Hampden against Aberdeen but failed to make an impression, with the direct running of season one replaced by sideways passing and drifting in and out of the game. The hook came in extra time but it could have been much earlier. Instead of scrapping with Hatate and Engels for a start, he's not got a job keeping Luke McCowan at bay. Bernardo can point to the injury after new year but even before then he wasn't getting much of a look in, apart from off the bench. More than half of his 44 appearances in all competitions in 2024/25 came as a sub, with just a couple of goals and three assists. Celtic need more. The drop off hasn't gone unnoticed, and former Celt and now permanent Partick boss Mark Wilson said: 'I have been quite consistent with Bernardo. When it was up for debate whether Celtic should sign him. I was probably one of the ones I didn't think it was worth the risk and the money. Not the risk, just the money. 'I didn't think he had done enough in big games. I get he went through that wee purple patch. He scored against Rangers. 'But you need to be more than that if you are playing in that Celtic midfield. You need to be more than just three good games on the bounce, and then just go non-existent for big games like the Cup Final.' Bernardo has enough in the locker to be an important Celtic figure but he needs to hit the ground running at the start of next season. And the foundations can be laid while he's on national duty in Slovakia.
The Herald Scotland
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Brendan Rodgers in Celtic injuries update ahead of cup final
Hatate was injured that day in a "needless" tackle that infuriated manager Brendan Rodgers and the Northern Irishman confirmed later that week he would miss the last league game and the cup final. The Japanese will be the only one that suffers the heartache of missing the national stadium showpiece as Celtic go for a Treble. Read more: Celtic player speaks out on future amid transfer interest Classy moment McCoist congratulates Ange Postecoglou after UEL triumph Key defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston, who missed games recently, are fit and available. 'Everyone else (apart from Reo Hatate) is fit,' the manager told Celtic TV. 'With not long to go now for preparation, hopefully it can stay that way. It has been a really, really good season for us in terms of the availability of players. 'The guys have done great in terms of the coaching team, in terms of the sessions. The players themselves have looked after themselves so well. 'Our medical and sports science team have prepped the players off the pitch really well. So, that has allowed us to not have so many muscular injuries. It's been purely based around some knocks and fractures and whatever else. 'But in the main, everyone is fit and strong and ready.'
The National
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Brendan Rodgers in Celtic injuries update ahead of cup final
The Hoops face Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday less than two weeks after thumping them 5-1 in the league. Hatate was injured that day in a "needless" tackle that infuriated manager Brendan Rodgers and the Northern Irishman confirmed later that week he would miss the last league game and the cup final. The Japanese will be the only one that suffers the heartache of missing the national stadium showpiece as Celtic go for a Treble. Read more: Celtic player speaks out on future amid transfer interest Classy moment McCoist congratulates Ange Postecoglou after UEL triumph Key defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston, who missed games recently, are fit and available. 'Everyone else (apart from Reo Hatate) is fit,' the manager told Celtic TV. 'With not long to go now for preparation, hopefully it can stay that way. It has been a really, really good season for us in terms of the availability of players. 'The guys have done great in terms of the coaching team, in terms of the sessions. The players themselves have looked after themselves so well. 'Our medical and sports science team have prepped the players off the pitch really well. So, that has allowed us to not have so many muscular injuries. It's been purely based around some knocks and fractures and whatever else. 'But in the main, everyone is fit and strong and ready.'
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic star Reo Hatate given glowing reference by Brazilian football legend as ‘perfect fit' destination named
REO HATATE could be on the move this summer. The Celtic star has been linked with a stunning transfer to Serie A after three-and-a-half years in the Hoops. 1 Reo Hatate is currently sidelined with a knee injury Credit: Kenny Ramsay Udinese are weighing up a big-money move for the 27-year-old midfielder, who has a contract with the Parkhead club until 2028. Hatate has played in every games this season up until his injury. with 59 appearances across all competitions. But he will MISS the Scottish Cup final this weekend with a knee injury. His form in Glasgow has led to interest from England and abroad and a Brazilian football legend - who also happens to be a Japanese football insider - has given him a glowing report. And he has urged him to join Udinese if the opportunity arises. Zico played for Brazil and the Italian club and he thinks Hatate could settle in perfectly under coach Kosta Runjaic. The 72-year-old told the Sunday Post (print edition): "I spoke recently about Hatate with Toru Oniki, his coach at (Kawaski) Frontale for years. "He told me that he was a strong, fast player with a winning mentality, who has already won a lot in his career. "He said he is an excellent player, highly regarded, who can operate well in any position across the midfield. "All indications are he could do very well. Celtic have clinched the Premiership title - now Hatate could leave with SIX players coming in "Certainly, I would imagine in Italy, especially with a team like Udinese, where he would have time to settle in better." Celtic could look to bring in Motherwell starlet Lennon Miller as a possible replacement for Hatate. But the interest in the Scotland wonderkid is high, both in England and the continent. Luke McCowan may also be given more minutes in the midfield should the Japanese international depart. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Reo Hatate advised on Celtic transfer future by Brazil hero
Italian outfit Udinese are the latest to be linked with a move for the Hoops star who has shone since his switch from J-League Kawasaki Frontale. Celts manager Brendan Rodgers would love to hold onto the 27-year-old and intimated that he expects the club to sit down with their key player and discuss a new contract. Hatate is on record as keen to play in the English Premier League and has reportedly attracted interest from there too. Udinese had scouts watching as he scored two in an impressive 5-1 thumping of Kilmarnock. Celtic would likely demand a hefty fee if they were to part with the player, though. Now, Brazil legend Zico has given his thoughts on the situation after discussing Hatate with Toru Oniki, who coached the Japan international at Kawasaki Frontale. Read more: Liverpool set to complete transfer of former Celtic star Brendan Rodgers responds to Greg Taylor Celtic contract question He told the Sunday Post: "I spoke recently about Hatate with Toru Oniki, his coach at (Kawaski) Frontale for years. "He told me that he was a strong, fast player with a winning mentality, who has already won a lot in his career. "He said he is an excellent player, highly regarded, who can operate well in any position across the midfield. "All indications are he could do very well. Certainly, I would imagine in Italy, especially with a team like Udinese, where he would have time to settle in better." Asked about Hatate after the transfer speculation, Rodgers said: "Yeah, I think for Reo I can feel a little bit of inconsistency, especially in the first few games. There's absolutely no doubt he's a big talent. "He's obviously a bit later in age now but maybe some clubs look at him and think he's at the wrong end of the asset age, they tend to go for that younger player. "For me, he's an absolutely outstanding player. The way he takes the ball, he's prepared to play that risky pass. He's got goals. "A really gifted player, it took me a wee while to get his inside his mind but he's absolutely superb. Certainly not underestimated by us because he's been really, really good this year." Hatate sat out yesterday's draw with St Mirren after picking up an injury midweek against Aberdeen and will now miss the Scottish Cup final against the Dons.
