Cameron Carter-Vickers could be set for his first Celtic squad involvement in more than seven months ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline.

The American defender has not played since rupturing his Achilles earlier this season during Celtic’s Europa League game vs Sturm Graz. At the time, there were genuine fears he would miss the rest of the season entirely.


Now there are growing signs his return is finally close.

US football journalist Larry Henry Jr reported on Friday that Carter-Vickers was back training ahead of the Hampden final, adding that “all signs” pointed toward him returning to the matchday squad for the first time since the injury.

That immediately sparked debate among supporters online because Celtic have stayed cautious throughout his recovery.

Martin O’Neill and the medical staff have deliberately avoided putting timelines on Carter-Vickers despite the defender gradually increasing his workload at Lennoxtown over recent weeks. The club know how important he remains heading into next season and there has been no interest in rushing him back unnecessarily.

Still, even making the bench for Hampden would feel massive after the seriousness of the injury.

Celtic have badly missed his physical presence and calmness defensively during parts of the campaign. Auston Trusty improved during the title run-in and Liam Scales handled difficult moments well, but Carter-Vickers remains the defender who stabilises everything around him when fully fit.


The wording there probably matters.

Nobody is suggesting Carter-Vickers will suddenly start the final after such a long absence. But simply being involved around the squad again would mark a huge step physically after one of the toughest injuries of his career.


It would also give Celtic supporters a lift before a summer where questions around the defence already exist.

Alistair Johnston only recently returned himself after injury problems, while Carter-Vickers remains central to how Celtic defend and physical battles against stronger opposition. His recovery shapes a lot of what next season looks like structurally for the side.