Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has endured an inconsistent 2025/26 campaign at Parkhead, a situation reflected in his recent involvement in the Scottish Premiership. The Japanese international has started just two of Celtic’s last four league fixtures, finding himself on the bench for the other two.
After scoring 11 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions last season, Hatate’s attacking output has dipped noticeably this term, with only three goals in 25 matches so far. His reduced influence in the final third has also exposed shortcomings elsewhere in his game. According to Sofascore, Hatate has won just 47% of his duels in the Premiership, while averaging only 1.1 tackles and interceptions per match, highlighting his limited impact both defensively and physically.
Celtic monitoring midfield reinforcements
With those issues in mind, Celtic are reportedly exploring the market for a new central midfielder who could potentially challenge Hatate for his place. Reports from Bold suggest the Hoops are among the clubs keeping tabs on Hacken midfielder Silas Andersen ahead of the January transfer deadline.
Celtic are said to be “lurking in the wings” as admirers of the Denmark Under-21 international, as Martin O’Neill looks to strengthen his squad before the window closes. However, Rangers have already made contact with Hacken regarding a possible deal and are understood to be in active discussions, placing them at the front of the queue for the 21-year-old’s signature.
While Celtic’s interest remains genuine, it is unclear whether they will make a decisive move to rival their Glasgow rivals. Previous reports have indicated that Andersen could command a fee in the region of £7 million.
Why Andersen could be a major upgrade
Celtic may need to act quickly if they want to land Andersen, as the young midfielder has the profile to offer a significant upgrade in the engine room. Hatate’s declining attacking numbers have magnified his struggles without the ball, resulting in him losing his status as an automatic starter.
Andersen’s performances in the Allsvenskan during the 2025 season suggest he could bring greater balance to Celtic’s midfield. Known for his intensity and work rate, the Dane — described as “relentless” by U23 scout Antonio Mango — ranked third for tackles (84) and fifth for interceptions (43) in Sweden’s top flight last year, according to Sofascore.
His physical presence stands out even further when examining his duel statistics. Andersen won 192 duels during the league campaign, underlining his combative style. By contrast, Hatate has struggled in this area, winning just 46% of his duels in the Premiership this season.
Statistically, Andersen compares favourably across multiple metrics, ranking highly among midfielders in both defensive and attacking contributions. He is not limited to ball-winning duties either, having chipped in with two goals and two assists in 26 league games last season. Hatate, meanwhile, has managed one goal and two assists in 17 Premiership appearances this term.
Given Andersen’s superior physicality, defensive output and comparable attacking numbers, the Hacken midfielder could represent a clear step up for Celtic. His ability to influence matches at both ends of the pitch suggests he could provide the balance and intensity that has been missing from Celtic’s midfield during Hatate’s inconsistent spell this season.
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