Celtic boss boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed Reo Hatate could be fit to face Rangers in next week’s Old Firm derby.
The Japanese midfielder hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury against Atletico Madrid in October’s Champions League game. But Hatate returned to light training last week and has a chance of facing Gers at Parkhead on Saturday. Rodgers will make a decision on whether to include the 26-year-old in his squad for Celtic’s clash with Dundee at Dens Park on Tuesday. And it will be a major boost to the champions if Hatate is available for the Old Firm fixture four days later.
Rodgers’ team have badly missed him with no other midfielder managing to fill the void beside Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley. After his side’s 2-0 win over Livingston in the Premiership, the Celtic gaffer also claimed Israeli winger Liel Abada is on his way back to full fitness too. Both Hatate and Abada have been the scourge of Rangers in the past and when asked if the Japan star could return for the derby, Rodgers said: “It’s a possibility but we’ll have to see.
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates with teammates after making it 1-0
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“Reo has been on the grass, working well. He looks strong and fit but we’ll have to assess it and weigh up the risk because it’s a key one for us.
“Certainly, for the second half of the season it’ll be huge for us because he’s such an instrumental player for us. The dynamic he gives the team is fantastic and he hasn’t featured much.
“But I know from one of the games he played in, the whole speed of the game was different with Reo playing. The tempo and intensity he brings is what we’re all about.
“When we get him back, it will be like a new signing for us. Liel is getting there as well. He’s been out for a while and if not for these next two games, certainly in the second part of the season he’ll be a great help for us.
“We got Daizen Maeda back today as well. For the game we want to play, football looks different with players who have profile and speed. That’s how this team has been built. When you take it out, that penetration, you miss it.
“Daizen has that and it’s great to have him back. Abada will also do it. And we’ll see what we can do in January to increase that.”
Rodgers was delighted to get back to winning ways against Livi after losing two league games on the spin to Hearts and Kilmarnock. Kyogo was back on the scoresheet after going seven without a goal, with Liam Scales adding a second.
Rodgers was pleased for the Japanese striker who has been the league’s top scorer for the last two years. He said: “He’s only two goals short of where he was last season and it’s more important for the team.
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates with teammates after making it 1-0 (Image: SNS Group)
“But with attacking players, their job is to create and score. And you could see the relief on Kyogo’s face. He read the ball and it was nice for him to get the goal.
“He had other chances which didn’t quite drop for him but it’s what the team needed. He’s probably been frustrated but he has kept going and been persistent.
“It was a good win for us after a tough week on the back of the last two results. Naturally, it’s not what you want as a Celtic manager or player but the boys were excellent today.
“From the first whistle, the tempo was really good. We controlled the game, created lots and the players probably didn’t get what they deserved in terms of a higher scoreline.”
