Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has provided an update on the status of key midfielder Reo Hatate.
The Japan internationalist last played for the Hoops two days into 2024 away at St. Mirren but while turning out at the Asian Cup for his country, he pulled up injured.
Hatate has had issues with both of his calves but today, he was pictured back on the grass at Lennoxtown in what was an encouraging update for supporters.
In his press conference ahead of this weekend’s match at home to St. Johnstone, gaffer Rodgers outlined the status of the treble-winner, admitting that he is building up his fitness but that he won’t play on Saturday: “Reo (Hatate’s) not an option for this weekend”, he said (STV).
“We will look at that again after the international break, thankfully he is back training with the squad now but he still has a bit of work to do over the next few weeks in terms of his actual football fitness.”
When fully fit and firing, few in Scottish football can match the levels of Hatate. On his day, he is truly unplayable.
If Rodgers and Co. can get the 26-year-old back to match fitness ahead of the run-in, he could prove key.
Consistency has been hard to come by for him this campaign and under the double-treble-winning boss, Hatate has never really got the opportunity to show what he can do.
There would be no better time to do so, however, than over the next few weeks and months as the Celts look to secure a third consecutive title and resultant Champions League qualification.
