Journalist claims ‘it’s going to be difficult’ for Celtic to keep hold of midfielder Reo Hatate

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, ‘it’s going to be difficult’ for Celtic to keep hold of midfielder Reo Hatate following a strong start to life in Scotland.

The 24-year-old has made a big impression since arriving from the Japanese champions Kawasaki Frontale in the January transfer window and could be on the move once again during the summer.

Hatate was one of five additions to Ange Postecoglou’s first-team squad last month, with Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi, Matt O’Riley and Johnny Kenny also joining the ongoing revolution.

However, it’s Hatate who has arguably made the most impressive start to his Celtic career after scoring three goals and providing two assists in his opening nine appearances.

And the versatile star wrote his name into the Glasgow giants’ folklore when he bagged a brace and set up another strike in the one-sided Old Firm derby against fierce rivals Rangers at the beginning of February.

Since then, Hatate has helped Postecoglou’s charges go on an eight-game winning run in the Scottish Premiership, opening up a three-point gap over the reigning champions at the top of the table.

Get Lukaku OUT NOW! Chelsea fan fumes on The Football Terrace…

The former Japan Under-23 international has been so impressive that pundit Noel Whelan has suggested his time at Celtic Park could be an extremely short-lived one.

In an interview with Football Insider, the ex-Aberdeen striker suggested that some Premier League and Championship clubs in England will already be keeping close tabs on Hatate’s progress.

O’Rourke admitted that keeping hold of the 5 foot 6 dynamo will be a tricky task for the Hoops in the future if he maintains his current form, especially given the financial might of clubs south of the border.

In