Martin O’Neill has provided the latest update on Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers’ return from injury.
The USA international has been out since October with an Achilles injury, suffered in the same match that sidelined Alistair Johnston for six months.
Johnston has made his return and quickly re-established himself in the side. Carter-Vickers, though, has remained absent, with the defender stuck on 13 appearances for the campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports today, O’Neill stopped short of offering any guarantees.
“I think that would be too early to say, but he’s desperate to get out there, and he’s making a big effort to get fully fit.
“The club itself has had a load of injuries during the course of the year.”
There is no getting away from the fact Celtic have missed him.
When fully fit, Carter-Vickers remains the club’s strongest option at centre-half. His absence has left the back line short of authority and consistency for large spells of the season, particularly during difficult away performances where Celtic have looked vulnerable defensively.
The timing of the injury could hardly have been worse either.
With the title race going right down to the wire, O’Neill would undoubtedly have preferred to have his most reliable defender available for the run-in. Instead, Celtic are heading into the biggest week of the season without him.
The immediate focus is Fir Park tomorrow.
Celtic face Motherwell, knowing there is no margin for error. Just one point separates them from Hearts heading into the weekend fixtures, and anything other than a win would hand momentum firmly to Edinburgh ahead of the final day showdown between the sides next Saturday.
Even if Carter-Vickers does not make it back before the campaign closes, the priority now will be ensuring he returns properly.
A full pre-season would give him the chance to rebuild fitness without being rushed and allow Celtic to start next season with their first-choice defender ready from the outset.
fingers crossed