Reo Hatate and Liel Abada have both been pictures in training at Lennoxtown today.
It is more than two months since Hatate pulled up in the opening minutes of the Champions League tie at home to Atletico Madrid, his third muscle injury of 2023.
Hatate returned to Japan as part of his rehab but was back on the training ground today ahead of Saturday’s Glasgow Derby.
While some involvement over the two remaining matches before the winter break would be a boost it opens the door for a call up to the Japan squad for the Asian Cup which could see him away fro Celtic until after the final on February 10.
That’s more like it, Reo Hatate and Liel Abada pictured in training today.https://t.co/gqcaKUYoaX
— Celtic365 (@videocelts) December 29, 2023
Abada has been out of action even longer with his last involvement coming at Ibrox on September 3 where a depleted Celtic side pulled off a surprise win.
Following that match the winger reported for international duty, suffered a muscle injury which forced him in to an early return to Glasgow.
Missing out on an entire Champions League campaign was a big blow to the player and his club but it seems that the wait for a return to action is almost over.
Abada has enjoyed lots of success in the Glasgow Derby where his runs off the wing to the back post has been very effective.
It would seem overly optimistic for the Israeli to start Saturday’s match but a place among the nine substitutes with the prospect of getting 15 or 20 minutes action is an option that Brendan Rodgers would welcome.
There is also an injury concern over Cameron Carter-Vickers with an update expected at the lunchtime media conference with the Celtic boss.
CLICK HERE for Rodgers explaining why Celtic have turned the corner.
CLICK HERE for SNS Reo Hatate training ground pictures.
❎ Cameron Carter-Vickers is out
✅ Reo Hatate & Liel Abada could featureCeltic boss Brendan Rodgers reveals some mixed injury news ahead of tomorrow’s Old Firm – live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/yJxfrujH6b
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 29, 2023
