Celtic Confirm Stunning Double Exit Within Minutes as Reo Hatate and Johnny Kenny Leave Parkhead

Celtic’s double exit was confirmed in dramatic fashion on deadline night as Reo Hatate and Johnny Kenny both left the club permanently within minutes of each other.

Hatate has completed a move to Burnley, while Kenny has joined Preston North End. Two more players have therefore been removed from Martin O’Neill’s squad while Scotland’s transfer window remains open.

The timing makes this particularly significant.

Celtic are not simply trimming around the edges. They have allowed an established first-team midfielder and another attacking option to leave almost simultaneously.

Celtic double exit underlines major squad changes

Hatate’s departure is unquestionably the bigger of the two.

The Japan international arrived from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022 and became an important figure during one of Celtic’s most successful domestic periods.

He leaves with multiple league titles and domestic cups to his name.

Burnley have confirmed Hatate has signed a three-year contract, although the transfer fee remains undisclosed.

Kenny’s Celtic career followed a very different path.

The Republic of Ireland striker struggled to establish himself as a regular first-team player but impressed during loan spells away from Parkhead.

His move to Preston is permanent, with reports putting the deal at around £3million.

That represents a potentially impressive return on a player Celtic originally signed from Sligo Rovers for a relatively small fee.

What Celtic’s double exit means for O’Neill

The focus now immediately switches from who has left to who Celtic bring in.

That is unavoidable.

Oliver Sørensen has already arrived from Parma, while Celtic have continued working on further additions before Thursday’s 5pm Scottish deadline.

But Hatate and Kenny departing means the squad has changed again.

Kenny may not have been a guaranteed starter, but he represented another attacking option. Hatate, despite questions surrounding his future, remained a player capable of influencing major matches.

Celtic therefore cannot simply view these departures as business completed.

They must be followed by enough quality coming through the door.

The club still has time.

What Celtic do with that time will now define the closing stages of this transfer window.

Key Takeaways

• Reo Hatate has completed a permanent transfer from Celtic to Burnley.
• Johnny Kenny has joined Preston North End permanently.
• The two departures were announced within minutes of each other.
• Kenny’s transfer has reportedly been valued at around £3million.
• Hatate’s Burnley fee has not been officially disclosed.
• Celtic still have time to strengthen before Scotland’s transfer deadline.