Ask anyone who follows or covers Celtic the question of who has been the side’s biggest miss this season, and you’ll be greeted with a multitude of different responses.

Your typical replies will include the likes of influential figures such as Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has missed nearly as many games as he has played and captain Callum McGregor, whose latest injury is still undetermined concerning the severity of it. They may also mention players like Jota and Carl Starfelt, both key in delivering five trophies to the club under Ange Postecoglou, who moved on to pastures new in the summer to Saudi Arabia and Spain with Al-Ittihad and Celta Vigo respectively.

READ MORE: Direct and dangerous: Kuhn's Sunday showing was winger's breakout performance

However, perhaps the biggest miss this campaign – certainly concerning creativity and guile in attack – has been that of Reo Hatate, a player who has been ravaged by injury this season. Celtic’s number 41 – who can play anywhere in the midfield three – has played only 526 minutes for the club in all competitions, which equates to just 11 appearances in total. During this time, he has contributed four goal contributions – two goals and two assists – as he has found game-time hard to come by thanks to various injuries in his calves and hamstrings.

His latest injury – picked up in the Asia Cup for Japan in their defeat to Bahrain - has kept him out of action for over a month, with the talented midfielder still recovering from this setback at present. However, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers gave some positive news regarding his return to action, which could be sooner than expected. He said: “Reo (Hatate) is progressing well.

“He’s out on the pitch doing his work so we’re hoping that after the international break, he’ll be with the squad. He’ll be training with the group during the international break and will be available afterwards. It’s more looking for the Livingston game afterward the break.

“After the international break, we’ve got a big game then. Just having the availability of that level of player - the dynamism he has - clearly it’s something that we’ve missed. So to have him back will be great.”

That ‘big game’ Rodgers was alluding to is none other than Celtic’s third Glasgow Derby of the season, where they face Rangers at Ibrox on April 7. Hatate himself is no stranger to the fixture, having burst onto the scene back in February 2022 with a double on his Glasgow Derby debut, a night that lives on in the memory for many.

READ MORE: Celtic won't win ANYTHING this year without a fit Carter-Vickers - here's why...

Without question, Celtic have badly missed their most dynamic midfielder during a number of games this campaign. In fact, the club has won every single game they have played in the league this season when Hatate is strutting his stuff in the middle of the park. The proof is in the pudding: the Japan international helps Celtic win games and win them in style.

With McGregor’s timescale for a return to action still not clear – he was not called up for Scotland due to this – Hatate may be unleashed when the international break has concluded. It is a widely accepted viewpoint that Celtic’s midfield is not firing on all cylinders currently, with Matt O’Riley the only player who is a guaranteed starter at present. Tomoki Iwata has slotted in as the side’s new holding midfielder, whilst Paulo Bernardo and Daniel Kelly are fighting it out for the other remaining spot in the side. Odin Thiago Holm’s involvement has been stop-start, though he has shown signs of promise when given the opportunity to get on the park. Injuries have played their part in the failure to tie down a regular spot for the Norway youngster.

No disrespect to the likes of Bernardo and Kelly, but Hatate will walk into this side when he is fully fit and ready to contribute. With his contractual situation sorted out for the medium to long-term – following a renewal back in September – the midfielder is signed up until the summer of 2028, a big relief for all concerned with the player. Indeed, this summer may have been earmarked as a potential window for the player to leave the club, but that may be more likely in the case of O’Riley, given the big interest in the player from Atletico Madrid in January.

If Celtic can get the 26-year-old fit and firing, then he may very well be a contributing factor to the club’s late successes this season. With two trophies still to play for, Hatate could have a massive part to play in the destination of the trophies, and whether or not they will be staying in that glittering cabinet at Celtic Park. Unlike the likes of Bernardo and Kelly, Hatate has been in this position before at Celtic, having been a part of two previous run-ins during his time under Postecoglou. Additionally, his first professional club was at J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale, one of the most successful Japanese teams of the past decade or so. These experiences place him in perfect stead to come in and make a telling impact, as calm and cool heads will be needed from now until the end of the season.

READ MORE: Will Reo Hatate be the difference when he returns from injury? - video debate

Overall, the return of Hatate to Celtic from injury cannot come quickly enough. Rodgers will be counting down the days for one of his star midfielders to make his long-awaited return, one that must be sustained from the moment he enters the field of play to the last kick of the ball.

For the manager and all those concerned with the club, they will be hoping that the last kick is at Hampden at the end of May, with Hatate playing a starring role in even more success at the national stadium.