CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS is on the brink of a return to competitive action for the first time since playing in Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final on April 30.
The US World Cup Finals centre-back helped the Hoops to overcome Michael Beale’s Ibrox outfit before undergoing knee surgery that sidelined him for the remaining six games of the treble-winning campaign.
Carter-Vickers remained at Lennoxtown as his team-mates played in Japan in their two-game tour and he was a no-show in the 1-1 draw with Wolves at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
READY FOR THE OFF…Brendan Rodgers watches Celtic beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 at Parkhead.
However, the rock-solid defender, who cost £6million from Spurs last summer after an impressive loan season, figured for 45 minutes in the 3-2 win in the James Forrest Testimonial Match at Parkhead on Tuesday evening.
Now the long wait could be over for the 25-year-old pivot at the same time as right-back Anthony Ralston who played the entire second-half of the encounter against the La Liga team.
Both could feature in the champions’ line-up for Saturday’s Premiership opener against Ross County on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow.
Brendan Rodgers is satisfied with the progress of Carter-Vickers and Ralston and, speaking to the Daily Record, admitted: “Both players came through really well during the week, which is great news for us. They are back with the squad.
“They probably aren’t as up to speed as some of the other boys, but they still look in very good condition, so we will take a look at them on Friday.
“Apart from that, it’s just the guys who have been out for a period of time, but, hopefully, over the course of the next three or four weeks, some more will return.”
