CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS’ season looks to be OVER following the Celtic defensive rock’s Achilles injury surgery.
The USA international collapsed following the 2-1 Europa League win over Sturm Graz at Parkhead on October 23 and that will almost certainly be his last appearance of the campaign.
Carter-Vickers was forced to go under the knife in at attempt to repair the tendon and interim boss Martin O’Neill revealed the 27-year-old centre-back is not expected to return to light training until April at the earliest.
The setback means the defender’s hopes of being involved with his adopted nation in the World Cup Finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico in the summer are now in jeopardy.
DOWN AND OUT…Cameron Carter-Vickers is comforted after collapsing after the 2-1 win over Sturm Graz.
O’Neill, preparing his squad for the Premiership encounter against St Mirren in Paisley this evening, was asked if the former Spurs man will miss the rest of the season.
The caretaker gaffer answered: “Yeah, we will not see him. I think it might be April before he’s even on grass.
“I did ask him yesterday if he thought he would be ready for the World Cup and he said he thought that would be very doubtful.”
The injury problems are piling up for the champions with Canadian international right-back Alistair Johnston also undergoing surgery on a torn hamstring while striker Callum Osmand is in a similar unfortunate situation.
Offering an update on the pair, O’Neill, speaking to The Scotsman, said: “With Alistair, it’ll be four or five months. Callum had the same operation and his was worse. He’ll be five months.
“James Forrest is still missing. Kelechi Iheanacho has done some work, but wouldn’t be ready for this St Mirren game.”
Filipe Jota hasn’t been seen since being helped off in the champions’ 5-0 title-winning triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice on April 26 and O’Neill accepted he will not be in charge when the Portuguese personality does eventually return to action after his hamstring problems.
PENSIVE…interim gaffer Martin O’Neill watches from the sidelines.
The 73-year-old stand-in gaffer sighed: “I’ll not see him. I’ll certainly not see any of those boys you have mentioned.”
However, there was better news on Uruguayan left-back Marcelo Saracchi, another hamstring victim, with O’Neill stating: “He’s getting close again.
“I’m hoping that some of these lads, if they don’t make the Feyenoord game, would at least be available for selection for the Hibs game. Which might not bother me – or it might.”
O’Neill has already revealed the identity of the long-term successor to Rodgers may be imminent, as CQN reported yesterday, and he added: “I’m probably a bit surprised that I am still here.
“I thought maybe something might have got sorted out in the international break. But I think that there is definitely progress being made in that field.”
Frenchman Wilfried Nancy, current head coach at MLS outfit Columbus Crew, remains the frontrunner.
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