BRENDAN Rodgers has provided an update on the injury sustained by Reo Hatate during the match against Aberdeen nearly two weeks ago.
The Japanese midfielder experienced a calf problem shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute at Pittodrie, leading to his replacement by Odin Thiago Holm.
With Holm starting over David Turnbull in the weekend clash against Kilmarnock, there are indications that he might retain his starting position for some time. Rodgers has confirmed that Hatate will not be returning to action before the international break.
Celtic are set to face St Johnstone and rivals Rangers before their players head off for international duties. Upon their return, they will square off against the newly promoted Dundee side at Parkhead.
During the pre-match press conference ahead of the St Johnstone game, Rodgers commented, “Reo Hatate will be back at the international break, during it.”
While the absence of a player of Hatate’s calibre for the Ibrox encounter is less than ideal, it offers a golden opportunity for the young Odin Holm. The 20-year-old emerging talent has a significant chance to demonstrate his abilities in the upcoming matches.
Holm is a great prospect strong tackler for someone not filled out yet turbull haita have a job to keep this youngster out of team need all our players up and running against st johnstone should have been 4 or 5 not that concerned we opened them up at ibrox no crowd 50,000 home fans none if our fans 2 centre halfs played one game together 7 first team injured but we dominated firsthalf var done what was brought in to do clear up mistakes by ref where was it when kyoko was push to ground by butland get up again for goldson to do the same ref was ball watching var if we the see it on tv var sees it
Hope we have some back for european games our pasding has been poor but at ibrox we kept simple short passing moving for return had the home team chasing shadows you could tell by the home crowd second half sat back not forced back plan should have worked if final decision and pass played right that must have annoyed Rodgers but a good result pity we should have won comfortably need to improve on our passing especailly down left side very poor all home teams second half chances came from Celtic F.C. left side its our weak link would have been happy with another left back but if you cant get the right player leave it I still think Rodgers will be looking might be a few out of contract