Celtic are back in action for the 2025/26 season.
The Hoops beat Queen’s Park 1-0 in a friendly encounter at The City Stadium on Friday evening as Brendan Rodgers fielded two completely different teams for each half.
Johnny Kenny scored the only goal of the game, while plenty of Celtic youngsters were handed the chance to impress the manager.
A number of senior players are yet to be fully integrated back into the squad, including Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate.
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Brendan Rodgers delivers Carter-Vickers and Hatate updates
Carter-Vickers had to undergo knee surgery after the end of last season and the operation was thankfully a success.
Now, Rodgers has confirmed that Carter-Vickers is back in training for the Bhoys and that he only missed a week to recover from the surgery.
The Northern Irishman has said that the American will be ready for the start of the new competitive season as things stand.
Rodgers commented: “Yes, he was out training today. He had some issues around the end of last season. But we decided this was really important for him, he needed that to get the operation.
“We knew then the recovery time would just be the week or so. He’d miss a week. But he’s back working again and, hopefully, be ready for the next few weeks.”
For Hatate, he is also now injury-free after missing the final two games of last season against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership and Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final.
Rodgers said: “Yes. It was just a shame for him. I’d given him an extra few days, come back in and he’ll be fine.”
When could Carter-Vickers and Hatate return?
It appears, from Rodgers’ comments, that Carter-Vickers has some way to go. He’s out on the grass but obviously nowhere near fit enough.
That’s a concern because it seems like the American is going to miss a large chunk of pre-season, which doesn’t stand him in the best stead for the new campaign.
Carter-Vickers has been attracting Premier League transfer interest, but potential suitors may be holding fire given his recent operation.
Hatate appears to be much closer to a return and we could see him feature in Celtic’s friendly with Cork City on Tuesday night.
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