At Celtic, we have an abundance of talent at our disposal. The measure of quality in a squad is not in the starting line up but in the bench and when you look at what we had available at the weekend, it is absolutely frightening the squad that Ange Postecoglou has built.
Abada, Haksabanovic, Oh, Kobayashi, Iwata, O’Riley, Hatate and Forrest were all cooling their heels on Saturday night waiting for their opportunity to come off the bench.
If I was on the opposition team I would just shake my head and feel like giving up.
But there was one player that has left a serious impression on journalist, Mark Guidi.
Reo Hatate.
The Japanese midfielder bagged himself a brace against St Mirren and Guidi reckons the 25-year-old is destined for the very top.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Guidi said, “He’s potentially a massive, massive transfer fee.
“I think we spoke about him the other night. What is he, 22-23? [He’s 25]
“A massive transfer fee.
“£2 million or £2.5m? Again incredible business.
“You look at the improvement in him. He hit the ground running scoring very early in his career against Rangers in early February last year.
“He, I think, looks like he’s got the full package and can go and play and be a part of a top-six club.
“I was at Man City v Aston Villa yesterday and Hatate would not be out of place playing at that level. Absolutely not.
“He would be a right good addition.”
When you think that Hatate has only been playing professional football for just over two years, his talent is unbelievable.
Whether a club like Many City (which I think is very unlikely) would look to Hatate, the point is valid.
Hatate performed well in the Champions League group stages and bar a couple of mistakes, he looked in his element.
He still has a good 7-8 years left in the game, hopefully at Celtic, but the potential in him even at 25 years old, is huge.