Brendan Rodgers plans to switch off for a bit and perhaps get involved with the Celtic Foundation to occupy himself during the international break. And the Celtic manager can also spend some of his rare spare time contemplating with some relish the imminent return of Japanese player-maker Reo Hatate.
Behind closed doors friendly
On Saturday, the Celtic manager while discussing the midfielder’s return was asked if he planned to organise a behind closed doors friendly match to help get Hatate up to speed.
“Yeah, that’s the plan. We want to get minutes into Reo and push him on. We’ll get some of the players working here, have a game and get some of them up to speed,” Rodgers said, as reported by Glasgow Times.
One of those seasons
“It’s just been one of those seasons. Players have picked up funny little injuries – like Reo, who was coming back and then he picked one up with his international team,” Rodgers recalled.
“We’ve been close to getting everyone back and around it. There was a little period there, but it hasn’t sort of happened yet. The important thing is we are still there, still fighting and still in a really good place.
“Then we will go into the last leg of the race, which I’m looking forward to. Reo will be huge for us.”
It’s been really straightforward
Brendan was asked if this campaign is markedly different from his first year at Celtic back in 2016-17 when it appeared to be plain sailing all the way to an Invincible Treble.
Jokingly he replied: “No, it’s been really straightforward!
And on his plans for some time away from Lennoxtown during this international break: “I’ll switch off a bit and also do some work here, and also with The Celtic Foundation.”
Meanwhile Celtic FC Ticket Office has confirmed that the club has received an allocation of 7,258 tickets for Celtic’s next match against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena in West Lothian on East Sunday, 31 March.
Whether Brendan Rodgers would risk playing Hatate on their plastic surface remains to be seen, but it’s more likely that all the returning from injury stars will sit that one out. And the next game after that is at Ibrox, so there is plenty for Brendan to think about during his few days off!
🎟️Tickets for the #cinchpremiership away fixture vs. Livingston on Sunday, March 31 are now on sale to eligible Season Ticket holders.
The Club received an allocation of 7,258 tickets for this match.
— Celtic FC Tickets (@CelticFCTickets) March 18, 2024
