Watch Brendan Rodgers' Celtic press conference in full as Reo Hatate factor EXACTLY what champions have missed

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has lavished praise on Reo Hatate and reckons his returning star could make all the difference in Sunday's showdown with Rangers at Ibrox.

The Japanese playmaker made his first appearance in over two and a half months in last weekend's 3-0 away win against Livingston, impressing in his 65 minute cameo before being replaced. The Hoops boss has also been boosted by the return of star centre back Cameron Carter Vickers in the last couple of weeks, while captain Callum McGregor is pushing hard to make his comeback against the Light Blues after over a month out on the sidelines.

Rodgers also revealed that Honduras international Luis Palma is back in training after missing the last three games with a muscle injury. He said: “We’ve got Luis Palma back in training, which is great. So apart from Callum, and hopefully he gets the tick-off tomorrow, we’ve got a clean bill of health.

“It’s been great to see Reo coming back, to see his level in training and seeing what we’ve missed, how he plays and progresses the game so well, how he can shorten the game or how he can open up – his range, his attacking mindset. That level we’ve missed for a lot of the season.

“It’s great that he’s back, and what Callum gives the team and Cameron Carter-Vickers, the balance that he gives the others. It’s just great to have the availability and you’re then looking to choose the right structure from there.”

The Irishman's side go into the game a point clear of their city rivals, who have a game in hand on Celtic away to Dundee on Wednesday night. Having came out on top in the two previous encounters against Rangers this season, Rodgers is hopeful his men can deliver the goods again. 

“They are always big games and that’s