Reo Hatate handed Celtic injury boost as Ange Postecoglou shuts down fears his season is over

Ange Postecoglou has shut down Reo Hatate long term injury fears and insisted the playmaker will be back for Celtic’s bid to create more magic in the Premiership run in.

The midfield ace missed out on Saturday’s 3-2 Old Firm win that has fired the Hoops to the verge of retaining the title. There had been fears the 25-year-old’s hamstring injury could be a season-ender after he hobbled off in last month’s win against Hibs.

Hatate won’t be risked on Kilmarnock’s plastic pitch this Sunday but Postecoglou is more optimistic the Japanese star could make the Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Rangers at the end of the month. He said: “It’s fair to say Reo won’t make next week. But he won’t be out long term. It’s just a case of making sure he’s ready to go." Postecoglou was thrilled his side did the business against Gers without the player-of-the-year candidate. He said: “Yeah, it was. Reo has been fantastic for us.

“He’s always performed well for us in the derby games, in the big games. I think if you look back chronologically at the year, whenever we need a contribution from people we have always had it.

“No-one has let any gaps appear in our football, in our squad or in our line-up. Whoever steps in does that needs to be done.”

Postecoglou is refusing to claim the title just yet despite his side’s huge 12-point advantage with just seven games to go. And he’s challenged his men to put on a show in the run to make sure they hit the finishing line in style.

He shot down suggestions Celtic could freewheel and said: “Why should we? I mean, there are seven games to go so why would we want to waste any one of them?

“Every game is an opportunity to create some magic and create some moments for our supporters and also the players