Reo Hatate COULD make Celtic return against Rangers as Brendan Rodgers weighs up critical derby dilemma

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.

“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