One of the major frustrations for Celtic this season has been the inability to keep Cameron Carter-Vickers consistently fit and in the team.
Even when he has returned to full group training at Lennoxtown he’s encountered little setbacks here and there, forcing him out of the team or prompting another round of scans and injury worries.
The latest came last week when the United States international had to sit out the Scottish Cup game at home to Livingston.
With the defender now expected to be back in the line-up for today’s clash against St Johnstone, manager Brendan Rodgers has provided more context on the ongoing issues.
The Celtic boss is hopeful the worst of it is now behind Carter-Vickers.
Brendan Rodgers on Cameron Carter-Vickers Celtic issues
Rodgers said [Scottish Daily Mail, 16/03 print edition]: “Innocuous moments have led to him being out when he has. Earlier in the season, he felt something in the warm-up, then thought he was okay. At Aberdeen in August, he made a sprint and continued to spring. He felt it wasn’t correct and he had to come off. Against Ross County in January as well, it just didn’t feel right.
“Obviously, we look closely at the management of it. This time last week, he just made a pass in training and felt something. I think it’s also around him having had the sensation before. Six months earlier, he wouldn’t even think about it. But because you’ve had a couple of injuries, it makes you think a little bit.
“We just didn’t want to take the risk with him last week because previous experience has told us that, when he’s felt something and played on, we’ve ended up in a worse situation. He’s never had that before and he feels it has stemmed from his knee operation. That sometimes happens.
“It’s been an injury-hit season for him hopefully he can now stay fit over the course of these next couple of months. He’s such a big player for us. He makes all the players around him better.”
There may be just a maximum of 11 games left in the season but the jury is out on whether Carter-Vickers can stay available. He’s completed just one whole 90 minutes since before Christmas.
Undoubtedly he is the best defensive talent at the club and good management of these fitness issues is key to Celtic’s quest for silverware.
Rodgers is making it clear he feels the staff have done all they can to support his ongoing problems. Hopefully that will now pay off with a consistent run of matches and the defender getting back to his best, imperious form.
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