Following two stellar years in a Celtic shirt, Cameron Carter-Vickers has had a frustrating season at the Bhoys but he is now hoping the worst of his injury problems are behind him.
The United States international missed last summer’s pre-season preparations following knee surgery and has had several muscle injury problems since.
The defender spent another month on the sidelines from January into February but made his comeback against Motherwell last weekend and Dundee mid-week, showing just how important he is to this team.
He is still being introduced gradually, however, and has yet to complete a full 90 minutes since his latest return.
That’s now on the cards against Hearts at Tynecastle this Sunday.
Cameron Carter-Vickers on his Celtic status ahead of Hearts
Carter-Vickers said in the wake of Wednesday’s 7-1 thrashing at Celtic Park when asked if he is over the worst of his issues [Daily Record]: “I think so and I hope so. It’s been frustrating for myself being in and out with injuries. I’m hoping I can stay fit and help the team achieve things. I got 30 minutes at the weekend plus 60 minutes against Dundee. So that helps. I’m hopefully building my way back into it.
“I’m not sure why I’ve had so many problems this season. It’s the same side as my hamstring, on the right side, and the same side as my knee. It’s probably the first time in my career that I’ve had a season like this where I’ve been injured so much. But if you’re looking to have a long career then you’re going to have a season like that or two.
“So you’ve just got to get on with it and hopefully I’ll be able to play 90 minutes against Hearts at the weekend. It will definitely be a tough game. The last time we played them here we lost 2-0, so we know we have to do well on Sunday.”
Carter-Vickers hasn’t played a full 90-minute match since the 2-0 win over Livingston in December so if he manages that against Hearts it’ll be an important moment for him and for Celtic.
Carter-Vickers’ presence is key to this defensive line. There’s little doubt that Celtic have suffered with his absences this term, dropping points in four of the matches he has missed.
If he can stay fit for the remaining ten league matches, the Bhoys have a fighting chance of consistent form and pipping Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title.
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