Reo Hatate: Celtic midfielder out until after Christmas with hamstring injury

Celtic will be without Reo Hatate until after Christmas due to a hamstring injury picked up in their Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid; Brendan Rodgers' side play 12 games before Christmas including three in the Champions League and Rangers at home in the Scottish Premiership

Monday 30 October 2023 15:53, UK

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate will not play again before Christmas.

The Japan international suffered a hamstring injury in the first minute of last week's Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid, and tests have revealed significant damage.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said: «Reo, we are not 100 per cent on the exact timings, but he is certainly going to be out until after Christmas, we think, so that's a shame.»

The 25-year-old will miss a major chunk of the season with Celtic playing 12 games before Christmas, including three in the Champions League.

The Hoops travel to Dundee on Boxing Day before hosting Rangers four days later and Hatate may face an extended period out given the winter break follows Celtic's trip to St Mirren on January 2.

Rodgers added: «It's a disappointment for him. He has had a bit of a broken start to the season and obviously this will take him over the halfway point in the league.

»So it is very frustrating for him, especially someone who really commits himself to his game and his professionalism. Everything he does, he tries to do right.

Stream the Scottish Premiership and more with NOW

Get Sky Sports

Transfer Centre LIVE!

Scottish Premiership on Sky Sports

«But he is in a great place for that support, from the coaches, the manager to the medical team, the whole staff here will support him like we do with all the players. And hopefully we will get him back sooner rather than