REO BOUNCES BACK WITH A CELTS OUTING
REO HATATE has stepped up his Celtic comeback ahead of the title run-in by playing 45 minutes in a bounce game.
The Japanese midfielder hasn’t featured since the winter break after suffering a calf injury on Asian Cup duty with Japan.
With a pivotal derby at Ibrox looming next month, Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers will be desperate to have one of his main men back up to speed.
And Hatate boosted his fitness by getting a full half under his belt in a scratch game against St Mirren at Lennoxtown yesterday.
If he suffers no adverse reaction to playing in that 2-2 draw with the Buddies, Hatate could be back in the squad for Celtic’s league clash away to Livingston a week on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Alexandro Bernabei insists he didn’t even have to think about leaving Parkhead when the chance came up to join Internacional.
The misfit left-back headed to Brazil on loan earlier this month after failing to nail down a spot in the side.
Bernabei’s departure was questioned by some as it leaves the Hoops short on options beyond Greg
Taylor but the club felt a move away to get the Argentine playing regularly was the best option.
His Internacional debut was delayed after he missed his connecting flight to Brazil last week.
But the 23-year-old should make his bow next week in the Gaucho Cup tie against Juventude.
And Bernabei revealed he jumped at the chance to head back to South America.
He said: “I really wanted to come back and feel what South American football is all about again. Wearing this Internacional shirt gives me a lot of emotion and adrenalin.
“Knowing what this club means makes me want to get going and make an impression here.
“When I heard about Internacional wanting me, I wanted to come here.”