Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate is expected to be out of action for up to a month after limping off against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Hatate came into the match as a half-time substitute at Pittodrie but had to be replaced after 70 minutes with a calf complaint.
Now, The Scottish Daily Mail [16/08 print edition, back page] reports that tests have revealed a grade two tear, which will have a recovery time of three to four weeks.
That puts Hatate out of upcoming matches against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone before the end of August. The Japanese midfielder is also a major doubt for the September 3rd trip to Ibrox to face Rangers, which would be a significant blow to Brendan Rodgers’ options.
David Turnbull has been preferred to Hatate in the starting eleven of the opening two matches but struggled to make an impact against the Dons. Hatate notably improved the Bhoys midfield performance before having to be substituted off.
At this stage, there is no reported update on Cameron Carter-Vickers, who also had to go off up north. Rodgers revealed after the game he had felt a hamstring problem and was taken off as a precaution.
Everyone will be hoping that both players are back in action as quickly as possible.
Rodgers needs all of his most important players fit and healthy for a punishing upcoming schedule of games that sees the Bhoys play in some tough away venues and start a new UEFA Champions League campaign.
New signings are expected to arrive, but having the established core ready and available will be key to Celtic’s ambitions in the early stages of the season.
In other news, Celtic’s latest transfer target featured on 2023 UEFA ‘players to watch out for’ list.
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