CHRIS SUTTON has admitted that Cameron Carter-Vickers is Celtic’s “most important” player, reflecting on the loss in Paisley before the international break.

The defender had to sit the match out with an injury, a rare occasion for the American international. Postecoglou is hoping that he’s available for Celtic’s match against Motherwell at the weekend. Although, he’s yet to confirm his availability.

There’s a worry that Carter-Vickers’ absence is longer than anticipated, and he’ll also miss the Hoops’ Champions League match in Germany; however, Postecoglou will hopefully put the worry to bed in his pre-match press conference this week.

While in the green and white Hoops, Cameron Carter-Vickers has never been dribbled past.

Writing in the Daily Record, Sutton discussed why Carter-Vickers was Celtic’s most important player, reasoning;

“Cameron Carter Vicker is Celtic’s most important player.

“I’m not saying he’s the most skilful or the most talented in terms of ability. That’s a label reserved for a Callum McGregor or a Jota. But, in terms of importance to the side and being missed when he isn’t there, Carter-Vickers has long been in the irreplaceable category.

“That’s why shelling out £6 million in the summer to get him permanently was a key priority. If they were to lose him for the upcoming double-header against RB Leipzig, it would be a brutal blow for the team in terms of Celtic’s Champions League qualification ambitions. You only had to look at events in Paisley last weekend to see what happens when he’s not around. One goal lost in the Premiership in six games up to that point with the American international at the heart of the backline. Take him out for just 90 minutes, two are lost and so is the game. I don’t want to be hammering Stephen Welsh, but, quite frankly, Celtic don’t lose that second goal against St Mirren if Carter-Vickers is there.

“He deals with that ball on his six-yard line. Postecoglou needs him back and he needs him back urgently. Any extended absence would be a nightmare for the manager.”

It didn’t help that both of Postecoglou’s first-choice centre-backs were injured for the trip to Paisley. The partnership had the best defensive record in the league last term, and with the manager forced to chop and change throughout the opening stages of the season, there would be a lack of stability at the back.

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