ANGE Postecoglou has stated that Reo Hatate is ready to help Celtic’s final push for the Scottish title despite the Japanese midfielder revealing the Parkhead club’s punishing schedule has taken a toll on him this week.

Postecoglou also confirmed that Giorgos Giakoumakis, who suffered a hamstring strain in the 7-0 win over St Johnstone a fortnight ago, is available for the cinch Premiership match against Ross County in Dingwall tomorrow.

The return of the Greek striker, who has scored 12 goals since play resumed after the winter break in January, is a major boost to the top flight leaders following their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers last Sunday.

“He (Giakoumakis) is all good,” said Postecoglou. “He is ready to go. The only one that will miss out is Josip Juranovic. At this stage he is at least a couple of weeks. I don’t know the total extent of it, but he will be out for a couple of weeks. Everyone else should be okay for the weekend.”

Celtic’s bid to complete a domestic treble came to an end at Hampden last weekend when they were beaten 2-1 after extra-time – a result that has given their city rivals hope they can come from six points behind in the final five games and retain the Premiership. 

Hatate, who has been a regular in the Celtic first team since being signed from Kawasaki Frontale in January, confessed he was feeling “emotional and physical fatigue” in an interview with Sportiva in his native Japan this week.

But Postecoglou said: “He is fine. With him, Daizen (Maeda), Gucci (Yosuke Ideguchi) and Matty (O’Riley), they’ve only come in the last three four months.

“Whenever you come into a new environment it, it is always challenging, particularly when you’re coming to a new country, but he’s fine. He’s training well. He’s all good.

“You are kind of guided by them, how they are playing and how they are training. I haven’t felt the need to sort of rein back any of them.

‘From when they’ve come in in January they’ve been outstanding. You will find it hard to find anywhere else where three players have come in and made an instant impact in their team.

“Usually January is a tricky one to bed guys in and make an immediate impact, but they have done really well for us.”