Rodgers could replace Hatate with Celtic swoop for "ridiculous" £5m star

[ad_1] Celtic had been formally topped as champions of the Scottish Premiership for the fourth time in as many seasons after they beat Dundee United 5-0 away from dwelling final month.

Braces from Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn, after an personal aim from Ryan Pressure, secured the win and the title for the Hoops on the day, which made the remainder of their league video games comparatively stress-free.

There was some destructive information that got here from that consequence, although, as Jota hobbled off with a knee damage simply earlier than half time, and it has since been confirmed that he will likely be out for between six and 9 months.

Because of this the Portuguese winger is not going to be out there for choice when the Hoops take to Hampden Park to face Aberdeen within the SFA Cup closing subsequent weekend, and he's set to overlook the beginning of subsequent season on high of that.

Jota, nonetheless, just isn't the one Celtic star who is not going to be out there for Brendan Rodgers to name upon on the nationwide stadium, because the supervisor has confirmed that Reo Hatate is about to overlook the match via damage.

Why dropping Reo Hatate is a giant blow The Northern Irish head coach just lately revealed that the Japan worldwide suffered a knee damage within the 5-1 win away at Aberdeen, after being on the incorrect finish of a "useless" problem.

Rodgers confirmed that the 27-year-old star must be match for pre-season, if all goes effectively, however he is not going to be within the squad that travels to Hampden Park to tackle the Dons, which is a blow for the Hoops.

Shedding Hatate to damage is a giant blow as a result of he has starred for Celtic in the course of the park all through the marketing campaign, as a participant who could make an influence on the high finish of the pitch, and performed a pivotal position within the membership's SFA Cup semi-final win over St. Johnstone.

As you possibly can see within the highlights above, the Japanese midfield star created three of the 5 targets, helping Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda, and Adam Idah, to assist his facet progress via to the ultimate of the competitors, a recreation he'll now miss.

Hatate has additionally caught the attention together with his spectacular performances within the Premiership for the Scottish giants, as he has displayed his capability to attain targets and create high-quality possibilities at an distinctive fee.

24/25 Premiership

Reo Hatate

Appearances

37

Objectives

10

Large possibilities missed

2

Large possibilities created

14

Key passes per recreation

1.2

Assists

2

Stats by way of Sofascore

As you possibly can see within the desk above, the Celtic star has delivered 24 targets and 'massive possibilities' created mixed in 37 appearances within the division, which additional illustrates why dropping him to damage is such a giant blow for Rodgers.

The Scottish Solar just lately reported that Serie A facet Udinese are eyeing up a big-money swoop for the Japan worldwide within the upcoming summer season switch window, which reveals that groups are taking note of his performances for the Hoops.

Celtic could, subsequently, have a call to make over his future if Udinese, or every other group, are available with a agency provide for his companies forward of the 2025/26 marketing campaign.

With this in thoughts, Rodgers may supply an excellent substitute for Hatate by pushing the membership to safe a deal for Motherwell central midfielder Lennon Miller, who's a reported switch goal for the Hoops forward of the summer season window.

Why Celtic ought to signal Lennon Miller Celtic ought to signal the Scotland U21 worldwide, who's reported to be valued at £5m, as a result of he's an extremely younger expertise who has each the potential to be a long-term signing in addition to the standard to make a right away influence at Parkhead.

Miller, who doesn't flip 19 till August, has already racked up 60 appearances within the Premiership for Motherwell, which means that he may hit the bottom working at Parkhead as a result of he already is aware of the nation and the league.

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The 18-year-old, who has been praised as “ridiculous” by pundit James McFadden, has the age and high quality to be a starring participant in midfield for a lot of, many, years to come back as a potential substitute for Hatate, who turns 28 this 12 months.

Miller's performances within the Premiership recommend that he may very well be an excellent substitute for the Japanese star subsequent season, as he was awarded the PFA Younger Participant of the 12 months award within the Scottish top-flight, which speaks to how extremely his friends fee him.

The Scottish whiz just isn't as a lot of a goalscoring risk as Hatate, as he solely scored two targets within the Premiership, however the inventive and defensive elements of his recreation recommend that he may very well be a unbelievable signing for Rodgers and Celtic this summer season.

24/25 Premiership

Reo Hatate

Lennon Miller

Appearances

37

31

Objectives

10

2

Large possibilities created

14

12

Key passes per recreation

1.2

1.6

Assists

2

8

Tackles + interceptions per recreation

1.1

3.1

Ball recoveries per recreation

3.2

6.4

Duel success fee

44%

52%

Stats by way of Sofascore

As you possibly can see within the desk above, Miller, regardless of taking part in for Motherwell, delivered an identical variety of 'massive possibilities' created and key passes per recreation, while creating six extra targets for his teammates.

The Scotland youth worldwide has additionally confirmed himself to be an lively and efficient defender in the course of the park, making 9.5 tackles, interceptions, and recoveries per match alongside a 52% duel success fee.

Whereas Hatate has solely made 4.3 per recreation and misplaced 56% of his duels, which means that Miller may very well be an improve on him from an out-of-possession perspective, and that would make him notably useful on the European stage within the Champions League when Celtic face more durable challenges.

Subsequently, the Motherwell star may very well be an excellent signing to interchange Hatate, whether or not that's as a direct substitute or simply as a depth choice to come back in when the midfielder is injured, due to the inventive and defensive qualities he can convey to the occasion at Premiership stage.