Celtic came sprinting out the blocks in their title defence with an emphatic 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.
The Glasgow giants already have a points advantage over arch-rivals Rangers after they were held to a goalless draw against Hearts on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers‘ side put on a dominant display at Parkhead with Reo Hatate and Liam Scales scoring before the break and Nicolas Kuhn and Anthony Ralston rounding out the scoring in the second half.
It has been a relatively quiet transfer window for Celtic this summer, with two goalkeepers joining in the shape of Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo, while the only other arrival was Paulo Bernardo returning to make his stay permanent.
Most of the focus this summer has been Celtic trying to keep hold of their biggest stars with Atalanta and Southampton showing interest in Matt O’Riley.
There is also Premier League interest in Hatate, but Celtic have been warned that selling both stars this summer could cause Rodgers to leave.
Brendan Rodgers sends Celtic transfer message
Both O’Riley and Hatate started in a midfield three for Celtic on Sunday despite them being linked with a move away.
Following the full-time whistle, Rodgers piled praise on Hatate’s performance in particular, adding that he has now learned what he wants from a central midfielder.
As quoted by the Daily Record, Rodgers said “I think that what I’ve seen over the course of pre-season, he’s top class. I didn’t see the player that I hoped to see at the beginning of last season, for whatever reason. I was aware of him and I’d seen him play and I liked what I’d seen.
“He had little spells where he came into the team, but not consistently. But he’s come back pre-season now and, obviously, how the season ended, there’s that confidence.
“He knows I like him as a player and he knows what I want from him as a player. I’d hoped I could see that last season, but it doesn’t matter. He’s here now and he’s been absolutely brilliant since his comeback. So I’m really pleased for him.”
If Celtic were considering selling Hatate this summer, they might want to reconsider.
READ MORE: Chris Sutton says it is ‘baffling’ Celtic have not signed £8m ace this summer
Rodgers clearly has big plans for the Japanese midfielder this season and values him as a key player in his side.
With O’Riley inching closer to an exit, Celtic simply cannot afford to lose two star midfielders late into the window.
The post Brendan Rodgers sends Celtic transfer message as 'absolutely brilliant' star shines vs Kilmarnock appeared first on HITC.
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