Celtic fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers to the starting XI, and it seems the wait might soon be over. The American defender has been sidelined due to a hamstring issue, but recent updates suggest he could be back in action sooner than expected. [The National]
Carter-Vickers has been on the road to recovery since undergoing knee surgery over the summer. He made a brief comeback last month, featuring in matches against Ross County and Aberdeen. Unfortunately, his return was cut short when he was forced to leave the pitch at Pittodrie due to a hamstring problem. Since then, the Hoops faithful have been left wondering when their defensive stalwart would be back to bolster the backline.
Brendan Rodgers, ahead of Celtic’s weekend clash with Livingston, revealed that Carter-Vickers is set to resume training on the 9th of October. This date conveniently coincides with the next international break, providing a perfect window for the defender to get back to full fitness.
The timing couldn’t be better for Celtic. The Bhoys are set to face Kilmarnock at home on the 7th of October and won’t be in action again until their trip to Tynecastle to take on Hearts on the 22nd. This gap in fixtures offers a realistic timeframe for Carter-Vickers to make his much-anticipated return.
If all goes according to plan, Carter-Vickers should also be fit to play in the UEFA Champions League home fixture against Atletico Madrid. His presence would undoubtedly be a massive boost for the team, especially in a match where we’re going to have to be at our best defensively.
In his absence, Rodgers has had to get creative with his defensive selections. While it’s been a challenging period, it’s also been an opportunity for some of the fringe players to prove their worth. Liam Scales, for instance, has stepped up admirably, but there’s no denying that the return of Carter-Vickers would add both depth and quality to the squad.
So, mark your calendars, Bhoys and Ghirls. If all goes well, we could see Carter-Vickers back in the green and white hoops by the end of October, and not a moment too soon. His return would be a timely boost for a Celtic side that’s eager to make its mark both domestically and in Europe.
