Cameron Carter-Vickers continues to edge his way back from injury, with the defender again involved at Lennoxtown as Celtic push through the final weeks of the season.
The centre-back has been out since October with an Achilles problem that forced Martin O’Neill into constant changes at the back during the campaign. Celtic have managed to stay in the title race despite that absence, but there is little doubt the defence has looked less settled without him.
Recent training footage has shown Carter-Vickers back working with the ball and gradually increasing his workload. Earlier this month, he was also pictured involved alongside the squad rather than purely completing individual recovery drills.
O’Neill has already tried to cool expectations around any immediate comeback.
The club’s stance has remained consistent throughout the recovery process. Celtic are not interested in forcing the defender back before he is fully ready, particularly with Achilles injuries carrying obvious risks if players return too quickly.
Still, as the weeks move on and Carter-Vickers continues appearing on the training pitch, supporters will naturally begin wondering whether a quicker return could become possible before the campaign finishes.
🤕 Cameron Carter-Vickers & Daizen Maeda back in training ahead of a big match on Sunday, after their most recent injuries! #Celtic pic.twitter.com/C7gnBP4Q0X
— SNS Group (@snsgroup) May 8, 2026
That speculation comes largely because of how badly Celtic have missed him at points this season.
His absence has changed the shape of the defence. Carter-Vickers allows Celtic to defend higher up the pitch and gives the side far more calmness when building from the back. Without him, O’Neill has often needed to protect the back line more carefully, especially during matches where opponents look to attack quickly in transition.
The timing also adds intrigue.
Celtic remain in the Premiership title race chasing Hearts and still have a Scottish Cup final against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline to come. Every major fixture increases the temptation to ask whether Carter-Vickers could contribute before the season closes.
For now, though, Celtic appear determined to think longer term.
The priority is likely ensuring the defender is fully fit for pre-season and ready for what is expected to be a major rebuild this summer, with uncertainty surrounding the permanent managerial position and several squad roles still unresolved.
Even so, every fresh glimpse of Carter-Vickers back on the grass will continue to spark discussion among supporters hoping to see one of Celtic’s most reliable defenders involved again sooner rather than later.
this season it’s the then and now our Club supporters and players hopefully are concentating on sundays games we win this without losing a goal we win this game to nil we win the league our forwards turn up meaning no nerves cause what they and the supports have been through this season we have to stop this politicol arnurchist that have been following not our club but or media that Celtic attratic these people nit many have focus not just players but they have brought iman issue that nothing to do with Celtic but im sure its cost players to think why the club never back abda they should have told them these banners were upsetting our player they didnt and it snowballed I dont want them now I hope we are al focused on this game I hope I dobt see anything about gazza