Reo Hatate is OUT of Celtic's clash with Ross County as he bids to return on time to face derby rivals Rangers next weekend.
The midfielder was forced off in the fixture with Hibs before the international break as Ange Postecoglou's men recovered from going a goal behind to defeat Lee Johnson's ten men 3-1 and keep up their relentless winning run. The two week break is believed to have helped the 25-year-old greatly with important games on the horizon.
The Scottish Sun report that the star midfielder will miss the trip to Dingwall but Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda ARE expected to be available. The left-back is managing an Achilles issue that ruled him out of Scotland's stunning double-header win over Cyprus and Spain to get Steve Clarke and the Tartan Army off to the perfect start in the bid to reach Euro 2024 while Maeda chose to return early from Japan duty.
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Liel Abada and Aaron Mooy both also have fitness concerns but the Scottish champions are not prepared to take any unnecessary chances for the upcoming fixture on Sunday with Michael Beale and Co heading for Parkhead next weekend on April 8.
Celtic currently lead Rangers at the top of the Premiership by nine points ahead of the round 30 fixtures. The Light Blues face Dundee United at Ibrox tomorrow with the Hoops in Dingwall 24 hours later.
It's then the Old Firm showdown and should both teams win this weekend and Postecoglou's troops come out on top next weekend it would create a 12 point cushion at the league summit but defeat and it would be six points - with the duo still to play one more time once the split fixtures are released following matchday 33.
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