Celtic's Hatate to miss Scottish Cup final after 'needless' challenge

Scottish Cup final: Aberdeen v Celtic

Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Saturday, 24 May Time: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Watch on BBC One Scotland & iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds, follow live text coverage on the BBC Sport website & app

Reo Hatate will miss Celtic's Scottish Cup final with Aberdeen at Hampden next Saturday, his manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.

The Japan midfielder, 27, appeared to hurt his knee following a challenge by the Aberdeen's Pape Gueye during Celtic's 5-1 win at Pittodrie on Wednesday.

Hatate will also be absent for Saturday's final league game of the season at home to St Mirren, having made 55 appearances this term and scored 11 goals.

"He'll miss the last two games, sadly for him and for us," said Rodgers.

"You're probably looking that he'll be okay for the beginning of pre-season, but it's just a shame for us, even more so for him, that he misses these two games."

Rodgers had expressed his unhappiness with the challenge by Gueye, which came as Hatate tried to stop the ball in anticipation of a free-kick for the forward's push on James Forrest.

"I said at the time I thought it was a needless challenge," added Rodgers. "Everyone knew it was a free-kick. He's just there to stop the ball from running away.

"For that to happen in that circumstance, it's not nice."

Celtic are already without long-term absentee Jota for their final two fixtures this campaign but defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is available to face St Mirren.