Reo Hatate says people are reading too much into his absence from Celtic's title party.
The Hoops star was a notable absentee from the celebrations outside Parkhead as Ange Postecoglou's men celebrated their second title success in a row with thousands of fans in Glasgow's east end. The PFA Scotland Player of the Year nominee was nowhere to be seen but he has played down the reasons behind not being at Celtic Park.
He explained: "It’s not a big deal. People are reading too much into it. I had my personal things so I had to be away from the team. But that’s all, nothing else.”
READ MORE: Seven Celtic stars named in PFA Scotland Team of the Year with just two Rangers players included
English Premier League side Brighton have been linked with a move for the Celtic star and worried supporters of the Scottish champions started speculating but the midfielder was quick to quash any rumours over being at the Amex.
He added: “I wasn’t at the Brighton game — I watched it on TV in my house.
“The main thing is that I play for Celtic. This is where I am and I am focusing on the rest of the games.”
Hatate joins Celtic team-mates Callum McGregor and Kyogo Furuhashi in the running for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award alongside Motherwell hitman Kevin van Veen.
He also landed a spot in the Team of the Year as one of SEVEN Hoops players.
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