Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has endured a frustrating time of things regarding injury problems at Parkhead this campaign.
For example, Reo Hatate has been a long-term absentee since picking up a calf injury at the AFC Asian Cup in January; however, we have now received some positive news on that front.
Rodgers has issued a promising timeline concerning when the Japan international may be available for selection, stating earlier this week: “Reo is progressing well. He’s out on the pitch doing his work so we’re hoping that after the international break he’ll be with the squad.”
Given he has been sidelined for much of the season, Celtic struggled to fill the third midfield berth in his absence to accompany Matt O’Riley and Callum McGregor.
Odin Thiago Holm, Paulo Bernardo, Daniel Kelly, Tomoki Iwata, and the now-departed David Turnbull have all taken turns in the role; nevertheless, the Hoops’ support eagerly anticipate Hatate’s return more with every passing minute.
Speaking of captain McGregor, the 30-year-old isn’t in contention to feature for the Bhoys against St Johnstone, though he is set to make his comeback from a spell out with a calf/Achilles issue once the international break subsides.
One man who is in the running to feature against Craig Levein’s outfit on Saturday is Cameron Carter-Vickers, despite the United States defender being taken out of our Scottish Cup victory against Livingston as a precaution due to feeling a twinge in training.
Billy Stark talks up Cameron Carter-Vickers returning for Celtic
Ex-Celtic man Billy Stark is a keen admirer of Carter-Vickers and believes the former Tottenham Hotspur defender can help the Bhoys get back to ‘firing on all cylinders’ with the help of McGregor and Hatate over the next few weeks.
Citing all three players, the Scotland Under-19 manager thinks once the trio return, with a special emphasis on Carter-Vickers making a comeback, they will incrementally boost Celtic’s chances of winning the Scottish Premiership title.
He stated [Daily Record]: “When you lose key players you need to try to paper up the cracks. In Callum and Hatate’s cases, that is what Celtic have been trying to do.
“When they come back, along with Carter-Vickers, who has been a real stalwart in the middle of defence, it will be a boost. CCV exudes authority and physicality, and they have been a wee bit short on those fronts. But when all three are back then Celtic will be firing on all cylinders.”
In the absence of Carter-Vickers, Celtic have operated with Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales as a defensive two on more than one occasion, which hasn’t always yielded solidity within Rodgers’ rearguard.
Without being disrespectful, neither player covered themselves in glory against Livingston last weekend. If fully fit, you would imagine Carter-Vickers is a shoo-in to replace at least one of them on Saturday.
Either way, we will need to wait and see, with all of our attentions squarely focused on claiming a crucial three points against St Johnstone in a few day’s time.
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