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.