Celtic’s bid to win the Scottish Premiership title has been majorly hampered by injury issues this season.

Like I said earlier, the number of first-team players Rodgers has had out this season has been incredible but there is one that Mark Wilson believes that if he was still injured, Celtic would be struggling to be in a title race.

Reo Hatate has been out for much of the season under Brendan Rodgers and has, in fact, made just eleven appearances in the league.

Valued at just over £12m in a recent football study this season, the Japan midfielder has proven over the past two games just how important he is to Celtic.

A polished Ibrox performance was followed up with a superb display and a goal against The Buddies as Hatate helps keep Celtic’s noses in front at the top of the table.

Reo Hatate is Celtic’s ‘difference’ maker

Mark Wilson was praising Hatate and has earmarked the international midfielder as a player who could be the difference between Celtic winning or losing this title.

Wilson said [Superscoreboard], “I think the could be the one that’s the difference between Celtic winning the league and not.

“I think if Hatate was out for the rest of the season I think Celtic may have looked a bit different in these remaining seven games.

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“I think with him back, with every passing game, he gets fitter and better. And then his goal today shows you what he can bring in the final third.

“He’s such an important player. I think you see a difference in the players who play around about him.”

Hatate has been a superb signing for the club since Ange Postecoglou plucked him from the J League in December 2021.

His league debut in the 2-0 win over Hibs was followed up by a sensational performance against Hearts in the 2-1 win back in January 2022.

Since then, Hatate has never looked back and he has been the one player who has been pivotal in helping Celtic dominate Rangers and Scottish football as he picked up five trophies in his first season and a half in Paradise.