Brendan Rodgers has talked up Reo Hatate and provided an injury timeline on when he expects the Celtic midfield to return to first-team duty.
The Japan international has been missing from the Celtic match-day squad after picking up an injury on international duty during the Asia Cup in February.
And now, it seems that his return to the Hoops first team is not too far away after Rodgers provided a timeline on when he expects Hatate to return to action for Celtic.
Rodgers said [Daily Record], “Yeah, Reo is progressing well. He’s out on the pitch doing his work so we’re hoping that after the international break he’ll be with the squad.
“He’ll be training with the group in the international break and will be available afterwards. It’s more looking for the Livingston game after the break.
“After the international break, we’ve got a big game then. Just having the availability of that level of player, the dynamism he has, clearly it’s something that we’ve missed. So to have him back will be great.”
Hatate return will boost Celtic’s title hopes
There is absolutely no doubt Celtic have missed Reo Hatate. Brendan Rodgers has tried and failed to slot a player into the Japan stars’ place in midfield all season.
Paulo Bernardo, David Turnbull, Tomoki Iwata and Odin Thiago Holm have all been slotted into the heart of the Hoops midfield but not one of them has staked a proper claim to keep that slot in the team.
Having Hatate back will not only give the team more dynamism, it will also help improve the midfield creativity and attacking options as the midfielder’s passing and reading of the game are second to none.
If Hatate does return in time for the Rangers game next month it will be a huge boost for Celtic especially with captain, Callum McGregor a possible doubt for the game.
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