Confirmed: Celtic receive enquiries for player O'Neill would be 'happy' to keep

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Martin O’Neill says he will be “happy” if Reo Hatate stays at Celtic after confirming the midfielder is the subject of “tentative enquiries”.

The Herald understands Hatate has told Celtic officials he wants to leave this summer, having fallen out of favour at Parkhead.

However, the 28-year-old is believed to have turned down lucrative offers from clubs in Major League Soccer (MLS), Greece and Austria.

O’Neill has now backed up those reports by saying neither Hatate nor Celtic have received a proposal that is “beneficial” to both parties.

Should Hatate fail to seal a move away before the transfer window closes in September, O’Neill says he would be delighted to retain his services.

When asked about Hatate’s future, O’Neill said: “I think there are a number of tentative enquiries.

STATS

Reo Hatate

M (C)

Celtic

Reo Hatate

M (C)

Celtic

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 47

  Games

• 6

  Goals

• 3

  Assists

View all stats

“Nothing has come up that is beneficial to him or the football 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.”

Hatate joined Celtic from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in December 2021, in a deal believed to be worth €1.6million (£1.4m).

He has gone on to register 33 goals and 31 assists in 189 appearances for the Bhoys, winning nine honours including five Scottish Premiership titles.

O'Neill says Balikwisha is also of interest to clubs

Manager O’Neill has revealed Celtic have also received interest in DR Congo international Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

The 25-year-old moved to Scotland from Belgian side Royal Antwerp last August but the €5.8m (£5m) signing failed to score in 14 appearances last season.

“Again, there has been interest, nothing that Balikwisha will be wanting to do at this moment," added O’Neill.

“I am hoping that at some stage or another, if nothing materialises, he would get opportunities, but I cannot promise that.

“I said to him in my first spell that the next manager coming in might want him. And then he was disappointed when the next manager was me!”

O'Neill and Celtic are gearing up the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie against Austrian side LASK at Parkhead on Wednesday.

The Scottish giants will then travel to St Johnstone in the league next Saturday before heading to LASK for the second leg on Tuesday, 25 August.

Celtic missed out on a place in the league phase of Europe’s premier club competition last season after losing to FC Kairat in the playoff round.

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