And reckons, despite losing Hatate and Carter-Vickers to potential injuries, that his pool of players has the depth to respond in big moments when called upon.

Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/brendan-rodgers-bigs-up-3-30692858

Ange Postecoglou clearly has a preferred strongest starting line-up; with the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt at the back, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate in midfield, and Kyogo up top with Jota and Daizen Maeda on either side of him.

Source: https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/23489657.postecoglou-kobayashi-iwata-oh-biding-time-celtic/?ref=rss

Brendan Rodgers has admitted he doesn’t know how close Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate is to signing a new contract, despite previous reports suggesting it was only a matter of time (

Source: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/former-hearts-man-agrees-deal-as-celtic-make-contract-admission-4351985

Hatate scored Celtic’s first goal in the 3-1 win over and claimed an inadvertent assist for the second, scored by Luis Palma, in a man-of-the-match performance.

Source: https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/brendan-rodgers-lifts-lid-on-special-reo-hatate-celtic-coaching-session-as-japanese-shines-in-win-over-kilmarnock-4363838

His neat finish after a Hatate ball was ruled out but it should have stood.

Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/5-celtic-talking-points-alexandro-30527932

McGregor was unusually quiet, although Cantwell sat on him the whole game, and Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley never got on top of their Rangers counterparts.

Source: https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/rangers-celtic-final-word-the-magnificent-cantwell-postecoglous-deputies-show-weakness-morelos-and-lovelace-4141976

Reo Hatate, who was brought on at half-time for David Turnbull, is also a fresh injury concern after he was forced off during the second period.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23719712.celtic-cameron-carter-vickers-injury-alert-vs-aberdeen/?ref=rss

The 26-year-old was one of three Japanese arrivals at Parkhead in January 2022 alongside Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, but unlike those two and Kyogo Furuhashi, he failed to make any sort of impact and has been plagued by injuries.

Source: https://www.glasgowworld.com/sport/football/celtic/forgotten-midfielder-yosuke-ideguchi-leaves-celtic-to-join-j-league-side-avispa-fukouka-on-year-long-loan-4016953

The Celtic manager admits he's likely to be without FIVE players in the New Year for a month as they depart for the tournament in Qatar, with Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yang Hyun-jun also expected to be called upon by their countries.

Source: https://www.glasgowworld.com/sport/football/celtic-boss-outlines-january-transfer-priority-as-rangers-star-addresses-permanent-move-rumours-4406667

There is no doubt the captain will get the nod to start against Rangers but it's between Mooy, and Hatate for the two remaining spots.

Source: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/9986919/five-burning-questions-celtic-ange-postecoglou-rangers-mooy/

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Mario Lemina and Celtics Reo Hatate during the pre-season friendly match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/gallery/celtic-vs-wolves-in-pictures-30582256