Brendan Rodgers confirms extent of Reo Hatate injury and when Celtic star will be fit again

Add as preferred source on Google

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Reo Hatate will miss the rest of the 2024/25 season.

The Celtic midfielder was clattered by Pape Habib Gueye near the end of the game against Aberdeen on Wednesday evening.

The Hoops were victorious as they ran out 5-1 winners but Rodgers was visibly vexed by Gueye’s poor tackle on Hatate.

Fears were then raised over how bad the injury would be with trophy day against St Mirren on Saturday and the Scottish Cup final in just a week’s time.

• READ MORE: Watch Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin bite with bizarre verdict on Papa Gueye’s challenge on Celtic hero Reo Hatate

Reo Hatate injured for the rest of Celtic’s season

Unfortunately, Rodgers has now confirmed to the press that Hatate will miss the final against the Dons at Hampden Park due to the injury sustained.

It’s a huge blow for Celtic given Hatate’s influence this campaign. Rodgers expects his midfielder to be back fit again for pre-season training.

The Hoops boss said at Lennoxtown on Friday: “He’ll miss the last two games, sadly for him and for us.

“He’s had a fantastic season in terms of availability. It’s 55 games he’s been involved in and it’s just such a shame he’ll miss these last couple of games.

“You are probably talking that he’ll be okay for the beginning of pre-season but it’s just a shame for us and even more so for him that he misses these two games.

“I said at the time, I thought it was a needless challenge. Everyone knew it was a free-kick and he’s just there to stop the ball from running away. For that to happen in those circumstances, it’s not nice.”

Who will replace Hatate for Scottish Cup final?

This is going to be a difficult decision for Brendan Rodgers over who he now picks for the Hoops in place of the crocked Hatate.

Captain Callum McGregor and £11m record signing Arne Engels, barring any further injuries, will be two of three to start in midfield.

Essentially, it’s between Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo for the remaining spot. They’ll be naturally gutted for Hatate, but also confident they can start.

McCowan has probably enjoyed a better season than Bernardo, scoring seven goals in 39 appearances compared to the Portuguese star’s three in 42.

Bernardo endured a bad injury at the start of 2025, but has actually played more minutes than McCowan across the season – 275 minutes more to be precise.

McCowan scored against Aberdeen on Wednesday, but you’d imagine both will get the chance to stake their claim for the final when the Bhoys face St Mirren on Saturday.