Celtic central midfielder Reo Hatate was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 2-2 Scottish Premiership draw with Hearts at Tynecastle.
The Japan worldwide was left on the bench by coach Martin O’Neill days after his pink card affected Thursday night time’s 2-2 draw with Bologna within the Europa League.
Nevertheless, his performances within the Premiership had been usually underwhelming, so the usual bearer may have been overlooked of the squad even with out a pink card in Europe.
In response to SofaScore, the skilled midfielder has one objective and two assists in 19 league video games for the Hoops, whereas averaging simply 1.0 tackles and interceptions per sport, that means he has little affect on video games out and in of possession.
Celtic enter race to signal new midfielder
Hatate’s probabilities of beginning within the second half of the season could possibly be additional affected by the potential addition of recent gamers to his pitch space.
In response to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, Celtic are one of many golf equipment excited about signing SK Brann central midfielder Felix Horn Miffle within the January switch window.
In response to stories, the Hoops have entered the race to signal the 26-year-old midfield maestro, however will probably be a late transfer for the Norwegian expertise earlier than the window closes early subsequent week.
He added that Brondby are additionally eager to swoop in for a central midfielder and are getting ready a proposal of round £2.6m to lure Brann in for his or her star participant.
Nevertheless, Tipsbladet didn’t reveal whether or not the reigning Premiership champions can be ready to satisfy Brondby’s £2.6m provide to safe his companies.
Why Celtic ought to signal Muifre
The Hoops ought to push to beat Brondby within the coming days as he may arrive at Parkhead because the standard-bearer improve O’Neill wants.
As talked about above, the Japanese nationwide staff has not achieved sufficient in possession or on the ball to justify persevering with within the beginning lineup within the Premiership. That is why it could possibly be useful to usher in a brand new midfielder to extend competitors in that place.
Maifre, in contrast to this season’s normal bearer, is a central midfielder who can affect the sport in all facets. As a result of he has high quality defensively, in transition and within the closing third. Meaning he is by no means away from the sport and by no means misses a sport.
The 26-year-old star, described by scout Axel Moen as having a ‘large’ profile in midfield, has scored 11 targets and supplied 14 assists within the final three seasons for Eliteserien, in keeping with SofaScore, exhibiting he gives a menace from midfield posting to the highest finish of the pitch.
He additionally accomplished at the very least 34 dribbles in every of the league seasons, in keeping with SofaScore. So whereas the Norwegian treasure has the standard and mobility to continuously tackle opposition gamers to get his staff up the pitch, the flag bearer has by no means accomplished greater than 26 dribbles in a single Premiership season.
2025 – 25/26 season | Flagbearer (Prime Minister) | Maile (Elite Sequence) |
|---|---|---|
Look | 19 | twenty 4 |
the objective | 1 | 4 |
help | 2 | 3 |
Tackles + Interceptions per sport | 1.0 | 2.1 |
Duels received per match | 2.3 | 4.8 |
Floor duel success fee | 47% | 53% |
Statistics by Sofascore | ||
As you’ll be able to see from the desk above, Mayfre additionally outperforms Hatate in off-the-ball statistics within the 2025 Elite Sequence, successful extra tackles, duels, and interceptions, in addition to being extra environment friendly in duels.
These stats recommend Blanc’s star participant shall be a giant improve for the Japanese midfielder. It is because he has the potential to be extra defensive, dribble in transition and contribute within the closing third with targets and assists.
If Mayfre is ready to adapt to Scottish soccer and the Premiership and carry over his performances for the Eliteserien to Glasgow, the standard-bearer may discover it more and more tough to discover a place within the beginning eleven sooner or later.
Nevertheless, the elevated competitors for spots that this deal brings may additionally give the Japan worldwide the motivation he must return to his greatest in a Celtic shirt to compete for his place.
Celtic may settle for £4m bid for Maeda improve
Celtic have been advised how lengthy it’s going to take to signal one in every of their reported switch targets earlier than the top of the window.
Celtic should due to this fact push to get this deal executed, each due to the standard of his signing, but in addition due to the potential it brings to the staff as a complete.
