Good news from Celtic manager on CCV, Jamesy and Reo Hatate | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers has provided Celtic supporters with an encouraging update on the fitness of three Celtic stars, just as pre-season preparation really starts to take shape…

Brendan Rodgers. Queen’s Park 0-1 Celtic. 4 July 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Bhoys were at lesser Hampden Park last night to kick-start what was just the first of many friendly matches, before the new season begins in earnest next month.

This year the club will have to navigate the dreaded UEFA Champions League play-off qualifiers, will a two-legged play-off tie to be held during mid-to-late August, sandwiched in between crucial league encounters at Pittodrie and Ibrox.

Having had the tremendous luxury lately of going straight into the group stage and most recently, the new formatted league phase, it’s safe to say that anxiety will be high amongst the support this term.

Brendan Rodgers. Queen’s Park 0-1 Celtic. 4 July 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Celtic have endured a mixed bag of fortunes during these notoriously difficult qualifying campaigns for European football’s elite competition. On several occasions throughout the years, the club has fallen foul to lesser outfits and it usually coincides with a lack of proper planning when it comes to recruitment or indeed, just neglecting the manager’s needs entirely.

With Nicolas Kühn seemingly on his way to Como, many will be hoping the powers that be act swiftly and coherently to reinforce Brendan Rodgers’ squad and starting eleven, ensuring whoever we draw in the play-off round, we are adequately equipped to overcome them.

Celtic’s new signing Benjamin Nygren at Celtic Park. Photo Celtic FC

Benjamin Nygren has been brought in from FC Nordsjaelland, but more is required in the final third and beyond for that matter, to ensure we build on last year’s outing.

Reo Hatate is pictured with the Scottish Premiership trophy after the season s final match against St. Mirren on May 17, 2025. Photo IMAGO

Meanwhile, the gaffer updated us all with the fitness of Reo Hatate, James Forrest and Cameron Carter-Vickers, who underwent surgery this post-season and is quietly making his way back to full health from. The aforementioned Hatate was sidelined after sustaining a barbaric challenge up at Pittodrie just before the football stopped, whilst James Forrest had to go off during our disappointing Scottish Cup Final defeat in May.

James Forrest scores and celebrates. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 17 May 2025. Photo Robert Perry Shutterstock

On our injured trio, Brendan said: “Cam had some issues around the end of last season. But we decided this was really important for him and he needed that to get the operation. We knew then the recovery time would mean he’d miss a week. But he’s back working again and, hopefully, be ready for the next few weeks.

“With Reo, was just a shame for him. He’s had a few extra few days but he’ll come back in and he’ll be fine. Jamesie should be okay for Cork,” he added, as reported by Scottish Sun.

Cameron Carter-Vickers. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Paul Gillespie

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