Alongside previous updates on Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki, Brendan Rodgers has also confirmed that Reo Hatate will be missing for Celtic’s upcoming derby clash.
In a media conference this afternoon, the Celtic boss stated that the Japanese midfielder won’t return to training until the upcoming international break in early to mid-September.
That rules him out of the trip to Ibrox to face Rangers on September 3rd. Celtic’s midfield, alongside the defence, will be weakened for the crucial encounter.
Rodgers confirmed earlier that Carter-Vickers and Nawrocki are both missing for eight weeks, with Stephen Welsh also a lengthy absentee after injury.
The issue is so serious that Celtic are now weighing up making another defensive transfer move in the final days of the summer window.
There is better news when it comes to Alistair Johnston, Hyeongyu Oh and Mikey Johnston however. The Canadian is already back in training while Oh and the Republic of Ireland winger are both expected back next week.
Injured defender Yuki Kobayashi, like his compatriot Hatate, won’t be back working with the group until the September international break.
None of this is ideal for Celtic in the opening weeks of the season. To have so many key players and squad options struggling with their health and fitness is not what Rodgers would have wanted.
But this is the hand that has been dealt and it’s now about how the club react to it – on and off the pitch. We need leaders to step up during matches and we need the recruitment staff to ensure that quality arrivals are on the way in the transfer market. A big couple of weeks are head here.
In other news, Brendan Rodgers confirms Celtic transfer re-assessment in final days of window.
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