USMNT pundit makes worrying injury claim about Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers

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Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers watched on from the bench as the USMNT suffered humiliation in the Concacaf Nations League semi-final on Thursday.

Lowley Panama, who have caused the USA issues before, netted a 94th-minute winner through Cecilio Waterman and he proceeded to jump over the advertising board to celebrate with CBS pundit and legendary striker, Thierry Henry.

With the 2026 World Cup around the corner and America set to co-host one of sport’s biggest events, alongside Mexico and Canada, these are troubled waters for Mauricio Pochettino’s side and now they face Canada in a third-place play-off on Sunday evening.

In that respect, Carter-Vickers will probably be glad that he was on the bench for the Panama game, with Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards and Tim Ream of Charlotte in the MLS, playing ahead of the Celtic man.

Auston Trusty has already pulled out through injury after the summer signing was also absent for Celtic’s defeat to Rangers before the international break.

But could there also be an issue with Carter-Vickers, and if so, why isn’t he back at Celtic Park?!

• READ MORE: Cameron Carter-Vickers shares how Brendan Rodgers really felt about Celtic’s defeat to Rangers

American pundit says Cameron Carter-Vickers has an injury

Celtic fans wouldn’t have been surprised to see Carter-Vickers on the bench for the Panama match because he hasn’t always been a regular for his country.

But, on CBS Sports, three former players were discussing what changes they would make to the USMNT XI ahead of the Canada game.

Former defender Jimmy Conrad was asked what changes he would make to centre-back, and whilst he downplayed Carter-Vickers, he shared that he is hearing that the Celtic man is injured.

“Who would you play centre-back,” asked Charlie Davies. “You have studied these guys for a long time.

“Given the first game and how it went. Given the players who came into this camp. Who do you feel would give this team the best chance to keep a clean sheet?”

Conrad responded: “So, the two centre-backs in the back four. I think (Mark) McKenzie will get a run-out and should. 

“I am still not convinced on (Chris) Richards. I am still waiting for him to have a complete 90 minutes and we just don’t see it. There is always this mistake here. We haven’t been out-and-out punished for it, but in a big game, what, are we going to wait until the World Cup to get punished?

“But I don’t necessarily feel that I want to see more of Tim Ream, because we know what he can provide. It’s almost like ‘we know what he can provide, is there another stronger centre-back pairing to get an opportunity to flourish and get some minutes together’.

“Given what we have at our disposal. Seems as though we are hearing that Cameron Carter-Vickers might have a little something, niggle and injury or whatever. That would rule him out. Then you are left with Richards and McKenzie. It’s disappointing because I hope we had more options.

“In a must-win game. I would probably go with Ream and McKenzie, but I think there is a narrative to have about trying to grow the Richards and McKenzie relationship. 

“But I am not super-confident in saying that.”

Carter-Vickers’ stats for Celtic this season

It will be interesting to see if Pochettino does select Carter-Vickers because if he hasn’t returned to Glasgow, then that suggests his injury isn’t serious.

Yes, Celtic are heading for the Treble and the Premiership title is almost wrapped up, despite that woeful Rangers defeat.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	30	24	3	3	89	20	69	75
2	RangersRangers	30	19	5	6	62	28	34	62
3	HibernianHibernian	30	11	11	8	45	41	4	44
4	AberdeenAberdeen	30	12	7	11	38	46	-8	43

But Carter-Vickers has had injury issues during his Celtic career and fans don’t want him carrying anything that would just make matters worse in the long-term.

Either way, in the overall picture, it has been another strong campaign from the former Tottenham man and WhoScored have provided him with healthy ratings.