Celtic end their Japanese Connection with Hatate exit

After five highly successful seasons Celtic have ended their Japanese connection.

At 11.31 on September 1 Burnley announced the signing of Reo Hatate, ending a golden period started by Ange Postecoglou.

Hatate leaves with five SPFL Premiership winners medals and the gratitude of the Celtic support who’d ‘never known a player like you before’.

Fittingly Hatate’s last telling contributions came in the Glasgow Derby- the fixture that he announced his arrival in on the dramatic evening of 2/2/2022.

Signed by Ange Postecoglou, alongside Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi Hatate leaves Celtic with memories to match their medal collections.

Further attempts at signing Japanese players failed badly with Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamyra sinking without trace.

HATATE’S FINAL CELTIC CONTRIBUTION

On March 1 Celtic were trailing 2-0 at Ibrox with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

Martin O’Neill replaced Alex Oxlade Chamberlain with Hatate and the second half turned Celtic’s way.

Kieran Tierney head Celtic back into the match, Hatate then stepped up to take an 85th minute penalty.

His first and second efforts were blocked by Jack Butland but at the third attempt Hatate netted. Celtic took a point and finished the season 10 points clear of their city rivals.

A week late in the Scottish Cup Hatate only required one strike to send his penalty past Butland as Celtic made their way into the semi-finals.

We are delighted to announce the signing of Japan international Reo Hatate, who joins the Clarets in a permanent move from Celtic for an undisclosed fee.

Welcome to Burnley, Reo ?

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) September 1, 2026

For whatever reasons Hatate’s playing time dropped dramatically in the closing weeks of last season. Those Ibrox matches were his last meaningful contributions as a Celtic player.

Season 26/27 started exactly the same.

Hatate never played any domestic minutes but came off the bench twice in the Champions League ties against LASK.

The midfielder could make his debut tonight against Middlesbrough as Nicky Hayen’s side go looking for their first win.

Following relegation from the EPL Burnley have picked up just one point from three matches.

With the window closed and their new Belgian manager settled in Burnley will be eager to get involved in the promotion race.

Along the road from Burnley Hatate will find Johnny Kenny at Preston following a £3m deal.

After last night’s Championship matches Stephen Welsh and Adam Idah are in top place at Swansea with 10 points from four matches.