Neil Lennon feels Brendan Rodgers needs to use Celtic captain, Callum McGregor, ‘further forward’.
Celtic were dealt a major blow when Reo Hatate went down during the early minutes of the 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last week.
And the news coming through is what many feared and that’s Reo Hatate set to be out of action until after Christmas – Chris Sutton shared his thoughts.
That means that Brendan Rodgers has some big calls to make in the middle of the park, with Lennon wanting to see Callum McGregor used in a more attacking role, as he told PLZ Soccer.
The 30-year-old is usually the one who dictates the tempo of the game for Celtic and allows others around him, such as Reo Hatate, to work their magic.
But Neil Lennon, who coached the Scotland international, thinks that there is more attacking quality to Callum McGregor’s game.
Callum McGregor after Reo Hatate’s injury
“You have got Bernardo, Turnball, you can maybe look at Iwata as a holding one and maybe push McGregor further forward,” said Lennon.
“Sometimes I think he is a little wasted there. Give him a bit more forward impetus.”
How will Celtic cope without Hatate?
After a slow start to the season for the Japan star, in recent weeks, he was starting to motor and really get back to his best.
Some were even backing him to earn a nomination for Player of the Year and now he probably won’t play until 2024.
In terms of the league, the Bhoys should be able to cope because, let’s be honest, after the early season injury woes at the back and how the team coped with that, then Hatate’s absence shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Where Hatate will be massively missed is during these crucial Champions League games as Celtic aim to make something of the group after two strong performances.
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