Cameron Carter-Vickers is reportedly ahead of schedule in his return from injury after having knee surgery at the end of last season.
The US defender missed the last six games of the season after helping Celtic get past Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final back in April and was originally thought that he may not be ready to return to first-team action until the end of August.
But a report in the Daily Record has said that the 25-year-old is now ahead of schedule and is targeting the first fixture of the new season as a possible return date.
Of course, 67 Hail Hail discussed this towards the end of May when we told how American journalist, Larry Henry Jr, who is said to be close to the player, tweeted that the big defender was ‘expected’ to return for the start of next season.
Celtic are set to face Ross County on the 5th of August as the team unfurl the championship flag in front of a packed Celtic Park.
They then travel to Pittodrie the following week for a tough away fixture against Aberdeen and are back at Parkhead against St Johnstone on the 26th of August.
This is a huge boost for Brendan Rodgers who faced the possibility of going to Ibrox on the 3rd of September without the strong centre back and no doubt the new Celtic manager will be delighted at this news.
Carter-Vickers has been a rock in the centre of Celtic’s defence over the last two seasons. His partnership with Carl Starfelt has been crucial to the club picking up a double in former Celtic boss, Ange Postecoglou’s, first season at the club and then a treble the following season.
The tinkering of the backline towards the end of last season as Celtic tried to find ways to cope without him proved just how crucial Carter-Vickers is in bringing stability to the defence.
There is little doubt the American international will be central to Brendan Rodgers’ defence again this season as the Irishman not only plans to defend the Treble but also make an impact in Europe in the Champions League.
In other news, Brendan Rodgers sets punishing schedule as Celtic dial up summer intensity
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