Match

Celtic team news vs Livingston… 3 out but Reo Hatate returns

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Celtic return to Scottish Premiership action this weekend and it’s a welcome comeback after a dull international break.

We’re in the juicy part of the season now with just eight league games remaining before this year’s champions are crowned.

Brendan Rodgers’ side sit top of the table heading into this round of fixtures but rivals Rangers have a game in hand and play first on Saturday, ahead of Celtic’s trip to Livingston on Sunday.

It couldn’t be tighter and everyone knows that the Bhoys cannot afford to drop any more points, even taking into account two remaining derby matches.

We already know that Rodgers will serve a touchline ban in West Lothian after the Scottish FA’s decision on Thursday and, now, we have a picture of what shape the manager’s squad is in for the big away match.

Celtic FC v Kilmarnock FC - Cinch Scottish Premiership
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Celtic team news vs Livingston

Rodgers has been on media duties this Good Friday afternoon and has confirmed that Reo Hatate is again fit and available after a long period out due to injury.

Hatate picked up his most recent issue on international duty with Japan at the start of the year but missed a lengthy period of the season before that.

Celtic FC v Kilmarnock FC - Cinch Scottish Premiership
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

He’s only made 11 appearances so far under Rodgers but could make a 12th on Sunday.

Elsewhere, the manager has confirmed Callum McGregor will miss out on the Livingston fixture but is expected back in training next week and is in line to feature against Rangers at Ibrox.

Luis Palma will also just miss out on Livingston despite progress on his injury recovery, while Celtic likely aren’t taking any risks with Hyunjun Yang who has returned from South Korea duty with some ‘tightness’, per Rodgers.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers using the break to build his fitness, too, overall the squad is in pretty good shape heading into this final run of matches.

Currently, nobody is expected to be out for a significant period with those on the treatment table ready to return to action shortly.