Ex-Celtic defender Mark Wilson has compared Reo Hatate to club legend Stiliyan Petrov.

The Japanese international has had an excellent campaign, scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists in 40 appearances for the Hoops, but Wilson believes the midfielder is capable of scoring even more:

“Technically, he is just a brilliant footballer, I love watching him, reminds me a little bit of Petrov when he was at Celtic as well. He will add even more goals to his game and that’s how he will take his game to the next level.”

Petrov scored double figures in three separate seasons during his seven year stint at Celtic Park so Wilson’s suggestion that Hatate should follow in the Bulgarian’s footsteps is a good one.

Had Hatate not picked up a hamstring problem back in April, he may well have reached 10 goals already but he did return to action at the weekend during the 2-0 win against Hearts, which sealed the Scottish Premiership title.

With four more league games to go, and the Scottish Cup final coming up next month, there is every chance that Hatate will get on the scoresheet a couple more times before the season comes to a close.