Brendan Rodgers offered a thoughtful response when asked about Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal during Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Club Brugge, balancing praise for his defender with a light-hearted dig at Nicolas Kuhn, who passed to Carter-Vickers just before the mishap.
Rodgers dismissed any concerns about the need to lift Carter-Vickers’ spirits, emphasising the defender’s strength of character and professionalism:
“It’s just about reinforcing the positives. It’s not so much about him personally—it’s just one of those things that happens in football,” he said on Celtic TV.
“We needed to get into shape earlier, that’s the correction we make. But Cameron has been colossal for this club and will continue to be. His response in the game was excellent, as was the team’s, so it’s nothing to dwell on.”
Rodgers couldn’t resist a playful jab at Nicolas Kuhn, who has been in exceptional form this season with 11 assists:
“I joked with Nicolas that as long as he doesn’t claim the assist for it, it’s fine, because he seems to be racking up assists left, right, and centre these days!”
Celtic get back to domestic action this weekend, with Ross County travelling to Glasgow for the league encounter.
Don Cowie’s side have two wins in their last five, sitting eighth in the league, six points above the relegation zone.
Last time they visited Celtic Park, it was an Alistair Johnston effort that was deflected in that won Celtic the match 1-0.
The right-back was today nominated for Fifa’s The Best Defender award, making the top 22 players throughout the world, with some top names and former Hoops star Frimpong also on the list.
The chances of the Canadian picking up the award are very slim, but it’s still great that his performances, both with Celtic and his country, have been recognised at the top level.
