Wilfried Nancy has confirmed that Reo Hatate was absent from Celtic’s recent 3–1 victory over Aberdeen after falling ill…
Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at De Kuip on November 27, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
The Frenchman said the midfielder’s omission was precautionary and indicated that Hatate is close to returning to full fitness after being missing from last weekend’s squad.
Hatate did not feature against the Dons as Nancy oversaw his first win since taking charge at Celtic, which gave the 48 year-old some breathing space after four consecutive defeats.
Kelechi Iheanacho is injured during the Premier Sports Cup Final match between St Mirren and Celtic at Hampden Park on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou, The Celtic Star)
However, the manager was less forthcoming regarding Kelechi Iheanacho, with no fresh indication offered on when the forward might return from injury.
Aside from those concerns, Celtic are set to approach their upcoming fixture against Livingston this afternoon with a similar side from last Sunday’s outing at Celtic Park, while Hatate remains a possible addition if deemed fit.
Wilfried Nancy, Manager of Celtic, looks on during a Celtic FC Training Session at Lennoxtown Training Centre on December 10, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Speaking via Sky Sports yesterday afternoon, Nancy said: “It is the same for the moment in terms of timelines, I cannot tell you. But he is out. Reo was sick, so he is going to be able to come back. He is going to train the morning tomorrow, I think. We’ll see.”
In other news, Benjamin Nygren says there is a strong sense of togetherness within the Celtic dressing room, stressing that the players are fully aligned with the methods and leadership of the new Hoops boss.
Benjamin Nygren of Celtic celebrates scoring Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park – 21 Dec ember 2025Glasgow Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO Shutterstock
“We’re all in this together,” Nygren said at his media conference ahead of today’s match away to Livingston. “It’s not about just the players and the manager, but all of us together. We’re one team – we lose together, and we win together. However, I was very pleased for the manager, the staff, and everybody else involved.”
“If we can put in more good performances, then we will win a lot more games. I’ve had a lot of managers who play in different ways, but I think in the end, it’s football. And I think it’s something maybe people around talk about more than I think about it – I don’t think it’s that big of a deal or that complicated.”
“It’s football; you can see it from so many perspectives. For example, the team I played in before, on paper we played 4-3-3, but in the game, you could say that we played a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 or sometimes even two in the back when we pushed both wingbacks up, for example.”
“So, how it is on the paper and in the actual game, I think, is very different, and you can see it from so many perspectives.”
🍀 Good to “validate” work with a win
🍀 “Humble” enough to make adjustments
🍀 “My life has been about challenges”Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy on the challenge of visiting Livingston on Saturday – live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/2rnpwvAqsI
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 26, 2025
Conor Spence
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