CHRIS SUTTON insists Ange Postecoglou is facing a nightmare scenario at Celtic.
The former Hoops goal hero has emphasised the importance of centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers to the champions – and a lengthy period out of the team would create massive problems for the manager.
Sutton rates the rock-solid back-four operator as the side’s “most important player” ahead of the likes of skipper Callum McGregor, prolific goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi and fans’ favourite Filipe Jota.
The no-fuss World Cup Finals-bound defender arrived at Parkhead on a season-long loan from Spurs on the August deadline day and has become a fixture in the middle of the rearguard.
ON THE BALL…Cameron Carter-Vickers is Celtic key man, insists Chris Sutton.
Carter-Vickers is no headline act, but he is absolutely crucial to Postecoglou’s set-up and that was underlined in the dismal 2-0 loss to St Mirren in Paisley six days ago.
Sutton said: “Cameron Carter Vicker is Celtic’s most important player. I’m not saying he’s the most skilful or the most talented in terms of ability. That’s a label reserved for a Callum McGregor or a Jota.
“But, in terms of importance to the side and being missed when he isn’t there, Carter-Vickers has long been in the irreplaceable category.
“That’s why shelling out £6million in the summer to get him permanently was a key priority. If they were to lose him for the upcoming double-header against RB Leipzig, it would be a brutal blow for the team in terms of Celtic’s Champions League qualification ambitions.
“You only had to look at events in Paisley last weekend to see what happens when he’s not around. One goal lost in the Premiership in six games up to that point with the American international at the heart of the backline.
ONFIELD LEADER…Callum McGregor is Celtic’s influential skipper.
“Take him out for just 90 minutes, two are lost and so is the game.
“I don’t want to be hammering Stephen Welsh, but, quite frankly, Celtic don’t lose that second goal against St Mirren if Carter-Vickers is there.
“He deals with that ball on his six-yard line. Postecoglou needs him back and he needs him back urgently.
“Any extended absence would be a nightmare for the manager.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “The Celtic boss has been back in his homeland this week to promote the Sydney Sports Cup and I’m sure he’ll have spent a lot of time on the lengthy flights there and back thinking about planning about how he approaches the next batch of fixtures.
“It’s going to be hectic before the World Cup and, of course, he is going to have to utilise his squad. Having options is good. Having two players for every position is an ideal situation. It means changes can be made without too much disruption. Or it should.
“Perhaps it is the sheer volume of changes for a single game that he will look at in the future. Listen, last Sunday was always a day that could happen. Teams have to lose at some point. Not even Manchester City can win every week.
“Postecoglou and his team did a magnificent job to go 38 games in the top-flight without defeat, so an off-day was inevitable. There have been games during that run where Celtic didn’t perform as they could and got over the line either with a single goal or they managed to dig out a draw from a below-par show.
“St Mirren away last season, for example, was a perfect example on the same ground where it went wrong for them six days ago.”
THREE CHEERS…leading scorer Kyogo Furuhashi is congratulated by Josip Juranovic and Filipe Jota after netting in the 3-1 Premiership win over Ross County in Dingwall last month.
The one-time England international striker added: “Carter-Vickers and Jota could both have started and they might still have lost. However, when I look at this Celtic team, I see certain players who must be in there if at all possible.
“Of course, many will disagree with me and point to the fact that Postecoglou made nine changes for a Cup-tie against Ross County earlier in the season and got the game won 4-1.
“That’s fair enough. It’s just my opinion that some need to play for the team to really fire.
“Carter-Vickers is one, obviously, for the reasons I have stated.”
The stocky central defender, nicknamed The Fridge’ by his team-mates, missed the Paisley loss through injury and was also forced to sit out the USA’s World Cup warm-up games against Japan – which they lost 2-0 yesterday – and Saudia Arabia on Tuesday.
Postecoglou will be hoping Carter-Vickers has recovered fully to face Motherwell at Parkhead when the Premiership resumes a week today.
