As I coyly suggested two days ago, the turbo-charged forward from Japan has been secured on a longer deal by the wealthiest club in Scotland.
Now, it would be disingenuous of your humble correspondent if I said this news surprised me.
Actually, I was expecting it yesterday.
So far, there hasn’t been a signing that Brendan Rodgers has definitely authored.
He gave his approval to the recruitment of Odin Thiago Holm and Marco Tilio.
The Irishman has the final say on who comes in and who leaves.
The surname might be the same, but the structure and dynamics are totally different.
Lawwell Junior seems to be very good at his job indeed.
As for the imminently expected Yang Hyun-jun, he was a target of Ange Postecoglou at the same time as Oh Hyeon-gyu was brought to Parkhead.
A substantial spend has yet to materialise, with tens of millions remaining in the transfer budget.
I do not expect that will be done in a Transfer Headline Day fashion.
That is, an acquisition to grab media attention and please the supporters.
Across the city, that was mainly the rationale for bringing in Aaron Ramsey in January 2022.
It excited the Ibrox klanbase at the time as it was promised he would make a difference in Europe.
Ah well…
Conversely, Celtic will go about their business with all the razmataz of Michael Nicholson at a presser.
That is to say, quiet efficiency.
Celtic don’t need to pretend, as they have the resources to make stuff happen.
The SPFL champions have just posted an update on the London Stock Exchange to say their earnings for the year – ended on June 30, 2023 – will be “significantly higher” than expected.
The full financial results will be revealed in mid-September.
Behind the scenes at Celtic, hard work and dedication to the cause are the order of the day.
Which brings me back to Daizen Maeda.
Smart move, Brendan.
Chapeau!
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The Board should do everything in their power to retain Hatate. I would think his signature is much more important than Maeda’s but the lure of the EPL may just be too strong. HH
So far so good!
With the squad as it is, we ‘should’ retain the SPL title, and maybe a cup or two?
Just hoping that BR now announces a new signing which makes us all go: “oooohhhh!”
and which signals to everyone, that he is deadly serious about making progress in
Europe.
A prile always beats a double.
It’s almost as if Celtic are Maeda Money⚡️🍀
Reo Hatate must be next for a new extended contract?
That depends on all perties agreeing to it-obviously.
It is no secret that Brendan wants height and power in central midfield.
Height and power NEVER beats skill over the long term. I would point to Fabregas, the tallest at 5’10”, Thiago 5’9″,Xavi and Iniesta, both 5’7″, and both certain starters in every game if fit, as proof of that. None of them could be described as physically imposing, but four central midfielders in one of the finest teams that the world has ever seen.
I’m not saying Hetate is in that bracket, but I personally think he’s the best in Scotland by a distance. A recent conversation with a Sevco supporting acquaintance, during the Jota negotiations, revealed that Hetate was the player sevconians most wanted gone. Before even Jota and Kyogo.