Brendan Rodgers Hints at Celtic Return Ahead of January

Celtic got a 2-0 win against Livingston to end their two-game losing run in the Premiership. Many fans fear that the damage has already been done though, as Rangers can now take the lead if they win their games in hand.

Celtic will get a chance to set things right when they welcome Rangers to Parkhead later this month, in what will be both clubs' last game of the year.

Phillipe Clement's side have a lot of momentum on their side, having won the Scottish League Cup recently and topped their UEFA Europa League group.

Then again, Glasgow derbies are always one-off games. If Celtic can put in their best performance and take advantage of the Parkhead atmosphere, then they have a decent chance themselves.

The return of Reo Hatate from injury could hand them another boost. Interestingly, Brendan Rodgers has refused to rule out the possibility of him getting back on the pitch before the January break.

According to the Daily Record, when asked if Hatate could return for the derby, Rodgers said: “It’s a possibility but we’ll have to see.

“Reo has been on the grass, working well. He looks strong and fit but we’ll have to assess it and weigh up the risk because it’s a key one for us.

“Certainly, for the second half of the season it’ll be huge for us because he’s such an instrumental player for us. The dynamic he gives the team is fantastic and he hasn’t featured much.

“But I know from one of the games he played in, the whole speed of the game was different with Reo playing. The tempo and intensity he brings is what we’re all about.

“When we get him back, it will be like a new signing for us."

That update should be music to the ears of Celtic fans. The team has certainly missed Hatate this season, as he has dealt with a couple of injuries already.

When on form, Hatate often looked like Celtic's best player last season. So it goes without saying that he is a vital player to this team and one of the best in Scotland when on song.

A lot of players have struggled to reproduce their best form since Rodgers' appointment as manager. Hatate had started to show signs of improvement before suffering his latest injury.

Hopefully, once he is a back on the pitch and up to match speed, we will see the Hatate of old. One who had the ability to win Glasgow derbies on his own.