Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has addressed when supporters could see Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor back in action ahead of the Bhoys’ clash against Aberdeen tomorrow.
During the international break, Bhoys’ left-back Greg Taylor withdrew from Scotland’s squad as Anthony Ralston became the sole Hoops survivor in Steve Clarke’s squad for their double-header against Croatia and Portugal.
Meanwhile, Cameron Carter-Vickers has spent time injured for Celtic over the past couple of weeks due to a foot problem, leading Auston Trusty to deputise in central defence.
In addition, the American missed featuring for the United States during their fixtures against Panama and Mexico under Mauricio Pochettino, instead staying behind to continue his recuperation.
Now, Brendan Rodgers has given an estimation of when supporters may be able to see Carter-Vickers and Taylor back on the pitch for Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers offers ballpark on Carter-Vickers and Taylor
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Celtic’s top-of-the-table clash with Aberdeen, Rodgers has offered an injury update on Carter-Vickers and Taylor.
He stated: “I think all the guys have come back fit and healthy, which is good. Cam has trained for the last few days, so we’ll just wait for a reaction after today just to see if he’s going to be available for tomorrow.
“Greg Taylor is doing really well, but he won’t probably come back into the squad training until after the Atalanta game, but apart from that, we’re in a good place physically.
Later, he expanded on Carter-Vickers when asked if he could be back to face Atalanta in the Champions League: “No, just for tomorrow. Just look at that game first. I think what we’re conscious of with Cam is he had a wee bit last season where he was in and out, even though it’s a totally different injury this time.
“It’s one where we were told at the time, it could’ve been anywhere between two and three months, but it’s just not wanting to push him back in too early, which might then set him back, so he’s doing really, really well. He still has a discomfort there, not as bad as what it was for the Bratislava game, but we don’t think he’s too far away from being where he wants to be.
“So we’re just trying to manage that and just react to each day he trains to see what the after-effects are.”
Celtic will be desperate to have Carter-Vickers and Taylor back
Ultimately, Carter-Vickers and Taylor are two bastions of Celtic’s success in recent years, and both offer an added layer of solidity within Rodgers’ backline.
From the sounds of things, the former appears closer to a return than his counterpart. However, balancing risk with reward is key at this stage amid a heavy fixture run for the Bhoys.
It would be great to see Carter-Vickers come back into contention against Aberdeen or Atalanta next week, but if he isn’t deemed ready, there is no point in potentially harming his chances of making a full recovery.
Either way, Celtic supporters will soon find out more on the condition of both men in question across the coming days.
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