Celtic boss offers update on Reo Hatate injury vs Atletico Madrid

Celtic’s first-half performance against Atletico Madrid was pretty impressive and probably some of the best football we’ve seen from the team this season. Given that it was against such top opposition is remarkable in itself. The determination to go up twice and then to stay in the game during a more difficult second half was impressive too.

But the fact that the Hoops did all this despite Reo Hatate going off injured so early in the game makes it even more impressive. The Japanese international may be out for a while though.

It looked as though Hatate took a knock in a tackle very early in the match and perhaps felt a hamstring problem soon afterwards. He persevered but was clearly uncomfortable and was talking at the touchline rather than celebrating with the team immediately after Kyogo Furuhashi’s fantastic opener.

After being checked out, Hatate was fairly swiftly substituted with Paulo Bernardo coming on in his place in the seventh minute. And the Japanese midfielder looked very upset with the injury.

Celtic boss offers update on Hatate injury vs Atletico Madrid

It was good to see a consoling word and hug from Brendan Rodgers on the touchline as Hatate came off. As reported by Glasgow Times, the Northern Irishman has since given a brief early update on the player’s situation as he told BBC Radio Scotland:

"“It’s too early to say. It looked like it was a hamstring [injury] but we’ll see how that is.”"

Hatate had only recently returned from an earlier injury which saw him miss a few matches. He was getting back to top form with the Hoops after that layoff and had an impressive display against Hearts last weekend, despite that missed penalty. If it does prove to be a hamstring problem and a few more games missed then other players can step up and fill in.

Bernardo took his opportunity in the Atletico Madrid match and may well be the go-to replacement. Odin Thiago Holm’s game time has dropped significantly since his red card against Feyenoord. Perhaps Hatate being absent could see him get on the pitch more often. Both would offer creativity in midfield alongside Callum McGregor and the very in-form Matt O’Riley.

As for Hatate, fans will be hoping that it is nothing serious and he is back soon. We can only wish him the best of luck in his recovery.