Celtic boss Martin O'Neill addresses Reo Hatate axe but 'pleads the fifth' on Brendan Rodgers observation

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Japanese midfielder has been dropped from Celtic starting XIMartin O’Neill insists he has no issues with Reo Hatate despite the midfielder falling out of the first-team picture at Celtic.Hatate’s last start came against Dundee United more than a month ago while he was an unused substitute against St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final and Saturday’s Premiership win over Falkirk.Hatate has played a total of 17 minute across the last four matches, a sizable reduction in gametime for a player who has been pivotal for long periods since his arrival at the club four years ago.O’Neill revealed in February that he had sat down with the Japanese midfielder to discuss his drop-off in form this season and was satisfied that Hatate was still willing to contribute to the Celtic cause, although he now appears to have fallen behind the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arne Engels and Luke McCowan in the midfield pecking order.Celtic manager Martin O'Neill (left) has dropped midfielder Reo Hatate in recent weeks. “If he didn't want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the football club to try and sell him with a year left to run.“I do know that there were talks and there was a contract in front of him, which he didn't sign at the time.

I don't know the position now. I think Wolfsburg were coming in for him and it didn't materialise.

“In terms of what's happening in the future, I don't know. But he's come back to a bit of form which is great.