Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has delivered a worrisome update on the injury front, with Reo Hatate set to spend an extended period in the treatment room.
The Japanese central midfielder was named in the starting line-up for the exciting 2-2 Champions League Group E stalemate against Atletico Madrid.
However, he only lasted seven minutes against the Spanish giants before being replaced by Paulo Bernardo, handing the Celtic faithful a huge injury scare.
The Bhoys ensured Hatate’s absence didn’t bear damning consequences after holding Diego Simeone’s side to a thrilling draw at Celtic Park.
However, speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Hibernian on Saturday, Rodgers has confirmed that the Japan international midfielder will be sidelined for a few weeks.
“Not a definitive timeline, but he’ll definitely be out for a few weeks,” Rodgers told Sky Sports in his pre-match press conference.
“We’re just waiting for our [medical] team to settle down, we’re waiting for the result, and then we’ll see where he’s at, but it looked quite a bad one.
“If you watched the game, first 35 seconds, he’s almost stretched. He’s felt it [his hamstring] very early on, so it’s such a shame for him.
“He was out with his hamstring last year – it’s the other one this time, so we just need to try and get to the bottom of it.”
Hatate has been a key part of Rodgers’ set-up this season, contributing two goals and two assists in ten appearances across all competitions.
While he will undoubtedly be a huge miss for the trip to Hibernian at the weekend, Celtic will fancy their chances of extending their unbeaten Scottish Premiership run at the weekend.
Rodgers’ side are yet to suffer defeat in their domestic division after taking 25 points from their opening nine games to establish a seven-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Premiership table.
They will be eager to continue their impressive streak and consolidate their place at the summit while aiming for a third Premiership title on the bounce.
