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John Hartson says Celtic now have another ‘massive’ player who’s as important as Callum McGregor

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As the title race hots up and the games tick down, Celtic look like they could have found a new groove after the weekend’s win over Motherwell.

Brendan Rodgers’ side left it late against The Steelmen but still picked up a huge three points to stay tight with Rangers at the top of the league.

With key players now returning from injury, John Hartson believes that there is one who is just as important to Celtic as captain, Callum McGregor.

Hartson said [The Go Radio Football Show], “He’s massive. He’s a McGregor. I think when Cameron Carter Vickers plays he brings that calmness to the back four.

“He’s good in both boxes. He’s a threat. He goes and heads it away defensively. Offensively, he attacks the ball and he’s comfortable in possession as well.

“He can come out with the ball at the back. His passing is very good. But just to have the boy’s stature at the back and alongside Scales as well.

“And I think if that back four stays fit and healthy between now and the end of the season, ideally that would be Johnston, Carter Vickers, Scales and Taylor that would be Celtic’s go-to back four.”

SS Lazio v Celtic FC: Group E - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

The Hoops vice-captain is a stalwart at the heart of the Celtic defence. Ever since he arrived in his £6m move from Spurs, Celtic have only ever lost three domestic games that Carter-Vickers has played in over the last two and a half seasons.

The 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final in 2022 which Celtic lost in extra-time, the 2-0 defeat to Hearts this season and then you have to go back to the 1-0 defeat to Livingston at the start of season 2021/22 to find the last game Celtic lost with Carter-Vickers in the side. [Transfermarkt]

He truly is a rock for Celtic and now that he is back, our title hopes just took a massive shot in the arm.

In other news, ‘I was astonished’… Alan Brazil left stunned after what Daizen Maeda did for Celtic at the weekend