Celtic are preparing to be without Cameron Carter-Vickers for an extended period after it emerged that his Achilles injury is far more serious than first thought.
Brendan Rodgers had already confirmed the player would be out for “three to five months,” but Record Sport now report that the situation may be even more serious than that initial estimate. His operation in London will determine the full extent of the damage, but fears are growing that his season could be effectively finished.
The 27-year-old was forced off late in Celtic’s Europa League victory over Sturm Graz, clutching his leg in clear distress. What initially looked like cramp or a minor strain has turned out to be a ruptured Achilles tendon, one of the most significant injuries a footballer can suffer. Carter-Vickers is scheduled for surgery on Monday, but even the best-case recovery timeline would keep him out for the next six months.
That timeframe would take the defender’s return close to April, leaving Celtic to plan for the remainder of the campaign without their most dependable player. Medical experts have warned Record Sport that recovery from such an injury rarely runs smoothly, and given his history of fitness problems over the past year, there’s little confidence he will return ahead of schedule.
The injury also comes as a personal setback for Carter-Vickers, who had been targeting a place in the United States squad for next summer’s World Cup. Missing the rest of Celtic’s season would not only disrupt his club form but also cast real doubt over his international hopes.
For Celtic, the loss could hardly have come at a worse time. Sunday’s 3–1 defeat to Hearts left Brendan Rodgers’ side eight points off the top, and the absence of their defensive leader adds further pressure to a squad already struggling for stability. Without Carter-Vickers, Celtic’s defence looked disjointed and nervous, with Dane Murray enduring a difficult afternoon at Tynecastle.
Carter-Vickers’ calmness and organisation have been crucial to Celtic’s success in recent seasons, and his influence on the pitch will be almost impossible to replace. The manager will now look to players like Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, and Murray to step up during what promises to be a difficult few months.
The coming weeks will reveal more about the true severity of the injury, but one thing is clear, Celtic face a huge challenge ahead without their most reliable defender. Rodgers must now find a way to steady a team already showing cracks, as his side attempt to keep their season on track without their rock at the back.
