Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has addressed Reo Hatate's status after his second-half substitution in the 2-0 win over Aberdeen.

Midfielder Hatate took some physical punishment during the victory, including a sore one to his back and being felled for a potential penalty kick in the Dons box.

He was ultimately withdrawn in the 66th minute clutching his jaw after another heavy challenge.

The Hoops boss did not intimate that there was any worry over his continued availability, however, with his post-match comments touching on Hatate's well-being.

"He copped a couple of hard knocks, to be fair," Postecoglou said. "He was a bit sore after the game."

The 56-year-old lamented his side's wastefulness in front of goal despite the 2-0 scoreline - which was secured thanks to goals from Stephen Welsh and Jota - and insisted there were lessons to be learned from their afternoon's work.

“There are lessons in there for everyone," he said. "I didn’t shout or give him [Jota] a going over. At the same time, you need to address the issues at hand. You can’t just dismiss the last 15 minutes of the first half.

“There are lessons there as other teams may punish us in that period.”