Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has expressed strong belief in Reo Hatate's potential to thrive at Burnley, even after a recent decline in his performance. Hatate's four-year stint at Celtic concluded this summer, and Strachan is convinced that the Japanese midfielder still possesses the exceptional skills required to succeed, especially if utilized within a three-man midfield formation.
Strachan's Endorsement: Hatate's Potential at Burnley
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan publicly voiced his confidence in Reo Hatate, the Japanese midfielder who recently departed Celtic Park. Strachan believes Hatate is poised to achieve 'extraordinary things' at his new club, Burnley. Hatate, 28, concluded a four-year tenure with Celtic this summer, a period during which he was a prominent performer in Glasgow for three and a half years. However, his influence waned in his final season as he struggled to maintain his earlier exceptional form, becoming more of a rotational player. Despite this recent dip, Strachan remains steadfast in his assessment of Hatate's inherent quality. Speaking to The National, Strachan emphasized, 'Hatate has got it. He has to play with three in midfield, but he can play, take the ball and go forward. He can do extraordinary things, that's for sure.' He further added, 'He's a wonderful footballer and hopefully he gets back to where he was for those first three years, when he came to the club. He did very well at Celtic.' Strachan drew a parallel to his own career, stating, 'We can always have times in our careers when we're not at our best. I've done that myself. My last season at Manchester United wasn't very good and so I went to Leeds and improved.' This endorsement suggests that a change of environment and a specific tactical role at Burnley could be key to Hatate's resurgence.
Strachan's unwavering support for Hatate highlights the cyclical nature of a footballer's career, where a change of scenery can often reignite a player's form. His comparison to his own experience at Manchester United and Leeds adds a layer of personal insight, suggesting that temporary setbacks are not uncommon and can be overcome with the right circumstances. This perspective offers a hopeful outlook for Hatate's future at Burnley, where he might rediscover the dynamism and impact that characterized his earlier years at Celtic. It also underscores the importance of a manager's belief in a player's fundamental abilities, even when faced with a temporary dip in performance.
