Celtic central midfielder Reo Hatate has had a cold and hot season at Parkhead up to now in 2025/26, as he has began two of the final 4 Scottish Premiership video games and been on the bench in two.
In line with SofaScore, the Japanese nationwide workforce scored 11 objectives in 47 video games in all competitions final season, however has solely scored three objectives in 25 video games this season.
His lack of purpose contribution within the remaining third highlighted weaknesses in his sport. In line with Sofascore, the midfielder has misplaced 53% of his duels within the Premiership and makes simply 1.1 tackles and interceptions per sport, indicating that he’s not contributing sufficient to the workforce at each ends of the pitch.
Celtic enter race to signal new central midfielder
The reigning Premiership champions are reportedly at present contemplating the potential for including a brand new participant to their squad to interchange Hatate.
In line with Bould, Celtic are one of many groups vying to signal Hacken central midfielder Silas Andersen earlier than the tip of the January switch window.
The report claims the Hoops are “lurking behind the scenes” as potential suitors for the Denmark Below-21 worldwide as they purpose so as to add extra high quality to Martin O’Neill’s squad by the tip of the month.
He added that Rangers have already been approached about signing the 21-year-old expertise and are in talks with Hacken to signal the midfield star, which means Rangers are at present main the race to signal him.
Nevertheless, Celtic are ready within the shadows with curiosity as one among various golf equipment eager on the ‘common’ star, though it stays to be seen whether or not they are going to swoop in to noticeably problem their Glasgow rivals.
Earlier reviews have steered his switch payment is more likely to be £7m, so it will not be an inexpensive deal.
Why Celtic ought to make a proposal for Andersen
The Hoops must make a proposal to Hakken so as to compete for Andersen’s contract. That is as a result of the 21-year-old star may arrive at Parkhead as a serious improve to Parkhead’s standard-bearer within the center.
As talked about above, the Japanese midfielder’s regression in assault has brought on him to wrestle defensively, and he has undoubtedly misplaced his place as a starter in midfield.
Andersen’s efficiency at Hacken within the Allsvenskan for the 2025 season means that he may have the ability to be part of and supply greater than a standard-bearer to the workforce, because of the nice physicality he can carry to the aspect.
The Danish expertise, described as “relentless” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, made the third-most tackles (84) and fifth-most interceptions (43) within the Allsvenskan final yr, in response to Sofascore, which reveals how efficient he’s defensively.
He’s an extremely combative midfielder, as evidenced by his 192 duels gained through the league season (FotMob). It has been Hatate’s work out of possession that has struggled within the Scottish Premiership this season, which is why Andersen may are available as a key improve for him in midfield.
2025 Allsvenskan | andersen | Rank vs CM |
|---|---|---|
the purpose | 2 | Prime 19% |
Shah | 2.22 | Prime 1% |
A chance has arisen | 26 | Prime 1% |
dribbling success | twenty 5 | Prime 1% |
sort out | 84 | Prime 1% |
gained a duel | 192 | Prime 1% |
intercept | 43 | Prime 1% |
Statistics by FotMob | ||
As you’ll be able to see from the desk above, Andersen ranks extremely excessive amongst his positional friends on this division in quite a lot of metrics on and off the ball, which reveals he isn’t a one-trick pony.
The Danish star can affect the sport at each ends of the pitch by profitable tackles and duels at one finish and scoring and producing objectives on the different, one thing that has not been the case up to now for the flag bearers within the 2025/25 season.
In line with Sofascore, the Japanese nationwide workforce has gained 46% of their duels on this season’s Premiership, giving them 2.4 wins per match, however within the 2025 Allsvenskan, Andersen has gained 59% of their duels, giving them 7.4 wins per match, exhibiting the hole in physicality and defensive high quality between the 2 gamers.
In line with SofaScore, Hatate additionally has one purpose and two assists in 17 league video games this season, whereas Hakken’s ace had two objectives and two assists in 26 video games final yr, suggesting that there’s not a lot distinction of their offensive play.
Celtic are actively negotiating to signal one other ahead together with Tavi
Martin O’Neill is anticipated to be endorsed in January.
So Andersen could possibly be a key improve for Celtic’s standard-bearer in midfield. As a result of whereas he has comparable offensive traits, he has the potential to supply way more to the workforce as a bodily and defensive presence in the course of the park.
