Michael Gannon from the Daily Record has sensationally reported that Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate will be sidelined until the new year due to a hamstring tear.

Hatate sustained the injury early on in the 2-2 match against Atletico, subsequently missing the recent 0-0 game against Hibernian at the weekend.

While Brendan Rodgers refrained from specifying a return date during his Friday press conference, the manager said it looked a bad one but could be back in a few weeks .

However, the Daily Record reported Hatate’s absence until the new year, though no official details regarding the injury’s extent or recovery time had been disclosed by the club.

Such a prolonged absence would be a setback for Celtic, especially given the solid midfield combination of Hatate, Callum McGregor, and Matt O’Riley this year – all of whom recently renewed their contracts.

While David Turnbull and Tomoki Iwata remain available to Rodgers, neither mirrors Hatate’s distinct role on the field and the Japanese midfielder was clearly missed at Easter Road.

We won’t have to wait too long to find out what’s going on with Celtic in midweek action in the SPFL. The champions take on St Mirren on Wednesday night at Celtic Park.