A recent report suggests that Reo Hatate is on the verge of making a comeback.

The latest report from a top journalist at the Daily Record indicates that Reo Hatate is “close to a return.” While no specific time-frame is provided, the phrase implies that the midfielder could resume playing within this month.

Hatate has faced three muscle-related injuries this season, limiting his participation to just four SPFL starting matches, along with four appearances off the bench. Following an early exit due to injury in Celtic’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, Hatate briefly featured in the game against St Mirren on January 2 but had to cut short his participation in the Asian Cup due to injuries to both calves.

Celtic will need to carefully monitor Hatate’s rehabilitation. In a recent interview with Cameron Carter-Vickers after the Dundee victory, reported by the Daily Record’s Jackson, Brendan Rodgers highlighted the return to fitness of his first-choice central defender as a crucial moment in Celtic’s season. Additionally, full-back Alistair Johnston is back in the starting lineup, and the report mentions Hatate as being “close to a return.”

As Brendan Rodgers is expected to meet the media to preview the upcoming match against Hearts, inquiries about injuries, including Hatate’s status, are likely to be addressed. The report also notes the absence of Oh Hyeon-gyu and Odin Thiago Holm from the squad against Dundee without any explanation. Jackson, with 30 years of experience at the Daily Record, is well-connected and has previously conducted interviews with key figures such as former CEO Peter Lawwell in June 2021.