REO HATATE will step up his Celtic return by playing in a Lennoxtown bounce game this week.
Boss Brendan Rodgers is keen for the midfielder to play in a closed-doors match as he builds his fitness after a serious calf injury.
Brendan Rodgers is hopeful Reo Hatate will be fit to face Rangers on April 7[/caption]
Hatate hasn’t played since the winter break, after being crocked on Japan duty at the Asian Cup.
But he is back training and Rodgers now wants to see him in a friendly.
He said: “That’s the plan. We want to get minutes into Reo and push him on. He will be huge for us.
“We’ll get some of the players working here, have a game and get some of them up to speed.”
Rodgers will manage injury-plagued defender Cameron Carter-Vickers’ fitness during the international break as he battles a series of niggles.
The Celtic boss is also hoping skipper Callum McGregor gets the all-clear to resume training ahead of the run-in.
Rodgers understands the fitness of those two will be crucial if they are to finish as champions.
But with Hatate also edging close to a return, he is feeling optimistic about his side’s title chances, after they returned to the top of the table with Saturday’s 3-1 win over St Johnstone.
Rodgers added: “It’s been one of those seasons.
“Players have picked up funny little injuries, like Reo who was just coming back, and then picked one up with his international team.
“We’ve been close to getting everyone back and around it. There was a little period there. But it hasn’t happened yet.
“The important thing is we are still there, still fighting, and in a really good place.
“Then we will go into the last leg of the race, which I’m really looking forward to.
While Hatate is edging closer to a return Liam Scales has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland.
The central defender missed the victory over Saints, after picking up an injury in training last week. Meanwhile, the Hoops have announced they will face Chelsea in a pre-season friendly at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana on 27 July.
The sides have met once before in the USA, when the Blues claimed a 4-2 friendly victory in Seattle in 2004.
But Rodgers can’t wait to take on Mauricio Pochettino’s men at the 77,600-capacity home of the college American football team known as the Fighting Irish.
He said: “We are really looking forward to facing Chelsea at Notre Dame.
“I know Mauricio well and I look forward to seeing him and his team for what I’m sure will be a brilliant occasion.
“Pre-season preparation is always an important time, and Chelsea will present us with a strong and exciting challenge.
“We are so fortunate to have such a strong support worldwide and particularly across the USA. So I’m sure our visit will allow our fans a great opportunity to see the team in action, and we really look forward to seeing our supporters.
“To be playing at the famous and iconic University of Notre Dame at such a fantastic venue will be a unique moment for the club, and we are sure the home of the ‘Fighting Irish’ will generate huge support for Celtic and inspire a great sporting occasion.”
Celts are set to confirm further games soon, against Premier League champs Manchester City and DC United.
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