Cameron Carter-Vickers has praised Martin O’Neill and Callum McGregor for their roles in guiding Celtic through last season, after making his own return from injury against Shelbourne.
For Carter-Vickers, it was an important step after the longest spell on the sidelines of his career.
Speaking to Record Sport, he said: “It’s definitely the longest I’ve been injured. It was difficult.”
He added: “You want to be out there helping the team, especially with the season we had last year.”
Carter-Vickers had to watch from the outside as Celtic worked through a difficult campaign that still ended with a league and Scottish Cup double under O’Neill.
The centre-back did not play during either of O’Neill’s spells in charge because of injury, but he was clear about the impact the manager had on the squad.
Carter-Vickers said: “I just think he’s a really good manager, gets the best out of players and just leads the team in that way, really.”
That is strong praise from a player who has worked under different managers at Celtic and has been part of some big moments at the club.
He said: “When I look back at last season, I do think Callum McGregor, the captain, was very important in that as well.”
McGregor’s leadership has never been in much doubt, but last season asked plenty of Celtic’s senior players. Carter-Vickers naming him alongside O’Neill says a lot about the part the captain played in keeping the squad moving when things were far from smooth.
For Celtic, having Carter-Vickers back is important in its own right.
When fit, he remains one of the most reliable defenders at the club. His strength, positioning and calmness on the ball give Celtic a better base, and O’Neill will want him fully up to speed before the competitive games arrive.
Tuesday night in Dublin was only a first step, but after such a long spell out, it was a welcome one.
Carter-Vickers is now back on the pitch, speaking positively about O’Neill and McGregor, and building towards a season where Celtic will need their key players fit from the start.
