Report gives mixed news over Reo Hatate injury

A report in The Sun tonight claims that Reo Hatate will miss Sunday’s match away to Ross County but is expected to be fit for the Glasgow derby on April 8.

The influential midfielder was injured against Hibs on March 18 but other than the immediate post-match comments from Ange Postecoglou there has been no updates on the extent of the injury.

The Celtic boss will speak to the media tomorrow afternoon with the fitness and availability of a number of players is likely to be top of the agenda.

Derek McGregor of The Sun reports:

REO HATATE is set to miss Celtic’s return to Premiership action at Dingwall on Sunday to ensure he’s 100-per-cent for the Old Firm derby which could effectively seal two-in-a-row.

But Greg Taylor, managing an Achilles issue which saw him miss Scotland duty, and Daizen Maeda, who chose to return early from being with the Japan squad, are expected to be available for the game against Ross County.

Liel Abada and Aaron Mooy have also had fitness concerns and boss Ange Postecoglou isn’t prepared to take any unnecessary chances with the showdown against Rangers at Parkhead looming large on April 8.

Postecoglou will watch his stars closely in training over the next 48-hours before making final decisions about his squad to face the relegation-threatened Staggies. The champions are currently nine points clear of bitter rivals Gers with only nine games left.

Postecoglou was left concerned when Japanese midfield idol Hatate pulled up with a suspected hamstring strain after just 13 minutes of the 3-1 win over Hibs a fortnight ago.

But it’s understood that it wasn’t a major problem and the two week international lay-off has greatly helped the hugely influential 25-year-old.

If the hamstring injury is minor hopefully the three week gap between being injured against Hibs and the Glasgow Derby will be enough to ensure a full recovery.

With a Scottish Cup semi-final at the end of the month there is no chance of Postecoglou taking any risk with Hatate, a further set-back could put the midfielder out for the remainder of the season.