CCV DILEMMA, ‘BRILLIANT’ RALSTON AND FANS WHO ‘DON’T CARE’: RODGERS VERDICT

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BRENDAN RODGERS insists he will NOT be influenced by the forthcoming Champions League match against Atalanta in Bergamo when he makes his mind up about Cameron Carter-Vickers tomorrow.

The Celtic manager won’t be rushed on a decision as he prepares for the intriguing crunch Premiership encounter with Aberdeen at Parkhead.

The USA international centre-back has not played since limping off with a toe injury in the 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava in matchday one in Europe’s elite competition.

Carter-Vickers has missed four consecutive outings with the problem, but has been going through routines with his team-mates at Lennoxtown this week and could be in line for a dramatic return.

Rodgers said: “Cam has trained for the last few days, so we’ll just wait to see for a reaction after today if he’s going to be available for tomorrow.

“I just look at that game first. I think what we’re conscious of with Cam is that he had a wee bit last season where he was in and out.

“Even though it’s a totally different injury this time, it’s one where we were told at that time it could have been anywhere between two and three months, but we’re just not wanting to push him back in too early which might then set him back.

“So, he’s doing really well. He still has discomfort there. It’s not as bad as it was for the Bratislava game. We don’t think he’s too far away from being where he wants to be.

“So, we’re just trying to manage that and just react to each day he trains to see what the after-effects are.

“Greg Taylor is doing really well, but he won’t probably come back into the squad training until after the Atlanta game. Apart from that, we’re in a good place.”

Relishing the prospect of a visit from the unbeaten Dons, Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, commented: “We’re really excited about the game.

“I’ve been really impressed with Jimmy Thelin’s team. You win seven straight league games and you’ve done really well, so we look forward to this challenge.

“Clearly, Jimmy’s a really good coach and has good coaches around him, as well, and they’ve started the season on a real high.

“Aberdeen is a big club, so the expectation is to be up there, challenging and fighting with ourselves.”

The Hoops gaffer continued: “I’ve been really impressed with our start, and not just the results.

“I’m talking about the identity of the team, how we’ve played, how creative we’ve been, how forceful we’ve been.

“It’s really about looking to continue that performance level.”

Rodgers also had a special word for Anthony Ralston after the defender played his part in Scotland achieving a goalless stalemate against Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese colleagues at Hampden during the week.

He said: “He was brilliant and I was so happy for him. He’s such a great professional.

“It’s testament to how professional he is, whether it’s with Celtic or Scotland, every time he’s called upon he can come in and play 90 minutes and give his all.

“He defended really well, got forward when he could and he was unlucky with the cross he played in.

“He’s such a brilliant player for us to have and he’s such an important member of our squad.”

Images courtesy Celtic TV.

However, Rodgers wasn’t so impressed by the fans who bring fireworks and pyrotechnics to games as he insisted they “don’t care” about the club.

It comes in the aftermath of Celtic being fined for the “lighting of fireworks” during their recent Champions League defeat in Dortmund. The Hoops could face a one-match ban on away fans if there is another incident in the next two years.

Rodgers added: “If you keep doing it, you’re showing that you don’t really care. You don’t really care for the team, you don’t care for the support and you don’t care for your club because the club ultimately is getting fined, as well.

“You’re worried about yourself. It doesn’t need it and if you need to do it, then do it outside the stadium. But don’t do it inside where you’re going to cause a risk to other people, other supporters, risk yourself not being there and obviously the team ultimately.

“People that have followed Celtic home and away for years and years should never be getting banned. The support is incredible and it’s not something we need.

“We’re not a club that needs that to ignite our support because what we bring to a stadium in colour and noise is absolutely amazing.

“I hope that this does end that because it just wouldn’t be right for any of our supporters to miss a game.”

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