It’s been a season of injuries for Celtic.
Managerial turmoil, which has seen the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, has undoubtedly hurt the team’s results on the pitch.
But Celtic have also suffered from their injury list. Jota is unlikely to play a minute all season, with his recovery from an injury sustained last May taking longer than expected.
Alistair Johnston suffered a muscle injury in August, and after making his return in October, suffered a recurrence of the issue which has since kept him out for even longer.
Equally significant has been the absence of Cameron Carter-Vickers, who sustained his latest injury in the same game as Johnston. The USA defender has given an interview during his rehab.
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Cameron Carter-Vickers gives Celtic interview
Since first heading to Glasgow on loan in 2021, Carter-Vickers has been an absolute mainstay for the Celts when fit.
He has never had it easy with injuries, but this has been his biggest setback yet.
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With a home World Cup around the corner, he will be determined to demonstrate his availability for the tournament – especially given the form of his club and international teammate, Auston Trusty.
Speaking to his agency, Sports Empire, Carter-Vickers discussed his goals for fitness.
He said; “I’m quite simple in terms of goals; just to play.
“Getting back fit, and playing football and be back playing in a winning team. That is only really ever my aim.”
On playing at Celtic and in the Glasgow Derby in particular, he said: “Growing up in Southend, I probably never thought I would be part of a fixture like this.
“There is definitely a tension that builds going into games. This is the biggest game in Scottish football.
“I’ve always been aware of how big the club is, when growing up I would watch the derby game and stuff like that.
“When I first signed, Ange was the manager, and he made me think this is the kind of place I wanted to go.
“My first derby game at Ibrox, I scored to make it 2-1 and we ended up winning. Last season we played them in the League Cup final and won on penalties, that was enjoyable.”
O’Neill has said that Carter-Vickers is unlikely to be seen on the grass until April at the earliest.
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Celtic’s current injury issues
Marcelo Saracchi is another Hoops defender currently unavailable, though the Uruguayan has been seen in training, indicating that his return may not be too far away.
Callum Osmand’s Celtic rise was abruptly ended by a long-term injury which has threatened to keep him out for the rest of the season.
Every time Kieran Tierney goes down in a game, you fear the worst – he had to be withdrawn after 73 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Hearts, but has since made a quick recovery.
Kelechi Iheanacho has recently made his return from an injury which kept him out for the majority of December and January.
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