Celtic will receive a huge boost to their title chances with the news that Reo Hatate is nearing a return from injury. The Japanese midfielder was injured during the Asian Cup during a stop-start season but it appears that he’ll be back in place ahead of the run-in.
According to The Daily Record’s Keith Jackson, the 26-year-old is nearing return as he continue back from injury.
With ten games to go, Celtic need their best players to be available and having Hatate back is a huge boost for Brendan. Not only will the manager be pleased with this news but his teammates will take a boost from knowing that the mercurial midfielder is back.
Hatate has made just 11 appearances this season for Celtic, with two gaols and two assists. The balance of the team and intensity has been lost as a result of missing Reo, not to mention going forward.
Cameron Carter-Vickers returning showed the quality that has been missing in the backline, which will hopefully allow the team to kick on when Hatate comes back in. A settled midfield three will also allow for different options from the bench and the manager to rotate to ensure that his side do not pick up anymore injuries.