The recently returned manager knows as well as anyone what will be required for the Derby match which is followed by a demanding autumn schedule around Champions League midweeks.
Rodgers has to make Celtic’s interests his priority but is mindful of the player needing to be involved every week as he was last season.
Hatate looked in absolute top form when Celtic played Yokohama F Marinos and Gamba Osaka but looked badly off the pace in his 45 minute appearance against Athletic Bilbao.
Behind his friendly, supportive demeanour Rodgers cuts very little slack with his players, he demands and expects complete concentration and dedication.
Getting Johnston back into the side to the right of Cameron Carter-Vickers will bring some stability to the Celtic defence after the pre-season disruptions, giving Rodgers a better idea of what is required to strengthen his defence.
With radio, television and online coverage BBC Scotland is by some distance the biggest media outlet in Scotland but their Celtic content since Rodgers arrived has been extremely limited.
Oh has picked up a bit of a knock and he’s probably going to be out for a few weeks. He did recognise that he had it and he played through it for a few days.
Rodgers could have dismissed the speculation but Lagerbiekle fits in with the profile of Celtic’s recent signings, last month the hoops brought in Maik Nawrocki in a similar deal.
That seems mainly based on a few suspect displays towards the end of last season but the absence of Cameron Carter-Vickers had a destabilising effect on the entire Celtic defence.
Rat, fraud, bitterness off the scale- Daily Mail reporter just can’t cope with the return of Rodgers
Finally, faced with Enzo Maresca, Kjetil Knetsen or Rodgers it was virtually a no contest. Go with a left field hipster or someone with a 100% record of delivering trophies in Scottish football?