Cameron Carter-Vickers’ absence from Celtic’s matchday squad against St Johnstone has created a major talking point ahead of Sunday’s trip to Ibrox.
There has been no confirmed explanation from Celtic for Carter-Vickers missing the game, so it would be wrong at this stage to assume he has picked up an injury.
That will not stop supporters keeping a close eye on the situation, particularly with Rangers waiting in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final this weekend.
Carter-Vickers had started Celtic’s opening five Premiership matches of the season and has remained one of Martin O’Neill’s most trusted defenders.
He played the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 2-1 win over St Mirren and had also been heavily involved during Celtic’s European campaign earlier in the season.
His complete absence from the squad in Perth is therefore more big news than simply being given a night off from the starting XI.
Murray has been handed the opportunity to start at centre-back against St Johnstone, but the bigger question will be whether Carter-Vickers is available again by Sunday.
Celtic already have several fitness issues across the squad.
Yang Hyun-jun is also unavailable after leaving to join up with South Korea for the Asian Games.
Kieran Tierney does make the bench after returning to training this week, giving O’Neill another option ahead of Sunday’s derby.
That makes any potential issue involving Carter-Vickers even more important before a knockout game at Ibrox.
The USMNT defender is not in the squad against St Johnstone and Celtic have not yet confirmed why.
O’Neill is likely to be asked for an update before tonight’s match, with Celtic supporters hoping the defender’s absence is nothing more than precautionary ahead of Rangers.
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