Ange reveals fresh injury blow for hoops

Reo Hatate is out of the Celtic squad to face Ross County tomorrow. 

The midfielder was given next to no protection from the rough-house treatment from Aberdeen players as Celtic opened their season with a 2-0 win. 

Hatate was substituted midway through the second half with a mouth injury with Football Scotland providing an update from Ange Postecoglou’s pre-match media conference. 

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Reo Hatate will miss Celtic’s trip to Ross County. 

The Japanese midfielder sustained an injury against Aberdeen last weekend in the 2-1 win. Hatate was subjected to a couple of heavy challenges and he had to be replaced in the second half and he’s not recovered in time for tomorrow’s trip to Dingwall. 

Hatate’s absence should create an opening for David Turbull with James McCarthy taking a place on the bench. 

Carl Starfelt and Yosuke Ideguchi missed the Aberdeen match through injury but Postecoglou was still able to name a formidable starting XI backed up by strong options on the bench. 

While Celtic go into tomorrow’s match on the back of an opening day victory County will be looking to get off the mark after losing 2-1 to Hearts last Saturday. 

After a slow start last season County were one of the form teams in the Premiership as they stormed to a top six finish ahead of Hibs and Aberdeen. 

Last season Celtic won 2-1 and 2-0 in their visits to Dingwall.