'Never do that again' 'That’s not a 5 year deal' 'New contract or we riot' Celtic fans not impressed by club tweet

Since contract extensions were announced for Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Callum McGregor there has been one tweet that Celtic fans have been looking out for.

Today they got today with Reo Hatate- but not the content that they had been hoping for with the midfielder used to promote the unique third kit which was apparently inspired by the Glasgow music scene.

Hatate has inspired a few musical tributes in his 18 months with Celtic with his first name lending itself to Songs of Praise from 60,000 worshippers.

Scoring twice in the first half on your Glasgow Derby debut tends to get noticed, appreciated, remembered.

💚 REO, REO HATATE! ✨
The 2023/24 #CelticFC x @adidasfootball Third Kit – available to pre-order now 🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 20, 2023

That double past Allan McGregor came a week after leaving Craig Gordon bamboozled at Tynecastle in a victory that marked the first time Hatate had played alongside Matt O’Riley with that partnership pivotal to the successes under Ange Postecoglou.

After the shortest of breaks to switch from the J-League to SPFL it was understandable that Hatate’s levels slipped towards the end of the 21/22 season but his marker had been set.

The new kid looked to be every bit as good as Kyogo who was recovering from the hamstring injury that had kicked in after his double against Hibs had claimed the League Cup. Incredibly Hatate’s fee seemed to involve around £1.2m going to Kawasaki Frontiers, it was a Larsson like steal.

At the end of the 21/22 season Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic moved on, the old guard was replaced with an increasingly Japanese feel to the Celtic squad, one that the fans lapped up and celebrated.

Last season brought the Champions League goal that lures players from around the world to Europe. Hatate looked comfortable in the opener against Real Madrid, highlighted by a ridiculous volleyed cross-field pass from a throw-in that even caught the eye of UEFA’s social media team.

Next up, away to Shakhtar Donetsk, a trademark run breaking the lines should have brought a goal but a nick off a defender denied Hatate the landmark goal.

As he got used to the levels of the Champions League the World Cup door was closing on the Celtic midfielder, hoops fans couldn’t understand it, concluding that Hajime Moriyasu must have an incredible squad to leave out Hatate and Kyogo.

In selfish terms Celtic got the benefit of a five week break but there must have been a lurking thought with Hatate that if he was playing in a stronger league his international prospects would be greater.

Until injury in March he was in storming form, Aaron Mooy seemed to bring something extra to the midfield with the first half display in the League Cup Final win at Hampden in February exceptional.

So exceptional that the Lundstram/Kamara partnership was never risked again!

Hatate never quite recovered his top form after injury but he did finish the season back in the international squad for the Kirin Cup, alongside Kyogo and Daizen Maeda.

If Wednesday’s performance against Yokohama F Marinos is any guide he looks sharper and more effective than ever.

He has the bulk and physique to compete against far bigger units in midfield without blunting his creativity. His passing into the forward areas to Maeda and Liel Abada was a joy to watch and appreciated by his team-mates.

Now the big question is over when Celtic get that new contract signed off. Already committed to 2026 a significant pay rise in return for a contract running to 2027 would be appreciated by all sides.