Scottish journalist Mark Guidi and pundit Barry Ferguson have both backed Ange Postecoglou to raid Celtic for midfielder Reo Hatate next summer.
Following Postecoglou’s arrival at Spurs, there was plenty of speculation linking several Celtic stars, including Hatate, with moves to the North London club in the summer.
In fact, 90 min reported back in June that the Glasgow club’s hierarchy was fearful that the Australian would come calling for the Japanese midfielder.
However, that never materialised, with the 25-year-old staying put at Parkhead, but some in Scotland remain convinced that the former Kawasaki Frontale man will soon be subject to interest from the Premier League.
Guidi suggested that Celtic might have had a gentlemen’s agreement with Postecoglou about not coming for any of their players last summer and suggested that the 58-year-old could look to reunite with Hatae next year.
Could Tottenham move for Reo Hatate?
The journalist told Go Radio about the midfielder: “He’s a massive player. No doubt clubs were looking at him and that turned his head for different reasons (amid current contract talks). He could still be sold in the summer.
“He’s the type of player I could see Postecoglou coming in for. It strikes me as an unwritten rule between Postecoglou and Celtic ‘you don’t come for any of our players. Don’t come for them for a year. Don’t unsettle them’.
“But, see next summer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ange Postecoglou trying to get one or two Celtic players. I think Hatate will be top of the list.”
Ferguson agreed with that assessment, remarking that Hatate is more than good enough to succeed in the English top flight.
The former Rangers star said: “He’s one player who I think can go down and play in the Premier League. No problem, at all.
“I would expect them to come in January. I would like them to come in January. That’s one of the players, he’s a Postecoglou-type player. He is a player that still has more to go and he is at a brilliant age as well*
The reason Ange has not raided Celtic for any player is probably not due to any gentlemen’s agreement but because no Celtic player is good enough to improve Tottenham’s starting eleven.
Hatate is evidently a talented player but if anyone is going to take a punt on him, it would be a side like Burnley or Sheffield United.
