Now that the Livingston game is out of the way, Celtic and Brendan Rodgers can now start preparing for the Glasgow Derby at Ibrox next weekend.
Celtic saw the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate to the starting lineup but it was the reintroduction of the Japanese midfielder that James McFadden believes will please Brendan Rodgers more today.
Hatate has been missing from Rodgers’ side since the beginning of February after being injured on international duty for Japan and today saw him return to the fold for Celtic for just his twelfth appearance this season.
Reo Hatate’s Celtic return ‘massive’
When asked how important Hatate’s return today at Livingston is for the Rangers game next week, McFadden was unequivocal in his answer.
McFadden said [Sky Sports], “It’s massive. Hatate’s been out for a while. Carter-Vickers has had a disrupted season.
“So to get some minutes today on the astroturf is not ideal for any player carrying niggles or coming back from injury, but it’s ideal for them to get a run-out however long that is to get them in better shape for the huge game that’s coming up next week.
“He’ll [Brendan Rodgers] be delighted to have them back. Carter-Vickers is such an important player. Hatate’s been missing for a big part of the season anyway.
“But I think that if Hatate can come back and be fit and have an impact that he has had before, then he’ll be a massive player for this run-in.”
Hatate’s miss to the Celtic team has been huge. Looking at his contribution of nine goals and eleven assists last season compared to his two of each under Rodgers, it’s clear how important he is to the Hoops team. [Transfermarkt]
But his return will also benefit one other player in the team. Kyogo Furuhashi has certainly missed his fellow countryman. Hatate’s vision and passing have played a huge role in Kyogo’s goal return over the past two seasons and his return will be welcomed by the Japanese striker.