Ange Postecoglou has a long-standing habit of signing players he knows and trusts.
During his tenure at Celtic, the Australian manager brought in several talents from the J-League, a strategy that contributed to a period of remarkable success in Glasgow.
However, since taking over at Tottenham Hotspur, Postecoglou has yet to revisit his former club for reinforcements—at least, not so far.
Spurs have previously been linked with several Celtic stars. Last summer, Kyogo Furuhashi was rumoured to be a target, while Matt O’Riley was also reportedly on Tottenham’s radar before he eventually moved to Brighton.
Now, as January approaches, speculation has reignited. Speaking on The Spurs Chat Podcast, journalist Josh Hughes has suggested that Reo Hatate could be a viable transfer option for Tottenham in the upcoming window.
Tottenham considering Reo Hatate
Hughes outlined why Hatate might be an appealing prospect for Postecoglou, given their shared history and the midfielder’s proven capabilities.
“The last midfielder I’m going to talk about is Reo Hatate. He scored one of the penalties in the shootout against Rangers. Ange knows and trusts the player, he does like a goal or two as well. He’s one I could certainly see happening. If Spurs go in with a reasonable transfer fee Celtic will find it hard to keep him,” Hughes said.
Hatate’s track record under Postecoglou
Hatate flourished under Postecoglou’s management at Celtic, proving himself to be an integral part of the Australian’s high-tempo, attacking system. The statistics from his time in Glasgow reflect his impact:
Reo Hatate stats under Ange Postecoglou:
Games: 40
Wins: 36
Draws: 3
Losses: 1
Goals: 9
Assists: 10
Remarkably, Hatate lost just one league game under Postecoglou at Celtic—a testament to his influence on the pitch.
While primarily a midfielder known for his defensive work, Hatate also demonstrated a knack for contributing goals and assists, making him a well-rounded and valuable asset.
Spurs’ midfield needs
With Yves Bissouma struggling for form, a player like Hatate could provide Tottenham with the energy and creativity they’ve been lacking in midfield.
His familiarity with Postecoglou’s tactical demands would undoubtedly ease the transition, and his versatility could bring much-needed dynamism to Spurs’ engine room.
As the January transfer window draws closer, this potential move is one to watch closely.
