BRENDAN RODGERS is confident of Cameron Carter-Vickers extending his stay at Celtic.
The USA World Cup centre-back has reportedly attracted attention from the English top flight, although CQNdismissed the notion during the week.
But it’s obvious the champions want to ward off intrusive interest in the rock-solid 26-year-old defender who signed a £6million permanent switch from Spurs in the summer of 2022 after his initial impressive season-long loan deal.
CCV is under contract until June 2026, but Rodgers has revealed the Hoops hierarchy are already in discussions with the Southend-born back-four operator on enhanced terms.
ON THE BALL…Cameron Carter-Vickers is in control in the middle of the Hoops’ rearguard.
Discussing the prospects of extending the player’s stay, the Irishman said: “There’s no doubt that Cam is one of the pillars of the team and, of course, we’d want to do that.
“That will happen in time, I’m sure. There have been talks on that between the club and his representatives, so let’s see where it goes.
“From what I’ve seen of Cam, and what I’ve worked with before, he can play at that [Premier League] level. He needed to come away and find the pressures here. But there’s no doubt, especially when I see the likes of Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace because they are similar centre-halves.
“Cam is of that ilk and he has all the tools. But his happiness is here. Him and his partner absolutely love it at Celtic and we would be very keen to keep him here.”
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “He’s very important to us. We’ve had a conversation and he loves it here.
“He’s been around a few clubs down south already, but he recognises the magnitude of this club. He’s become a winner at Celtic and he’s settled.
“He’s been fantastic for us and Cam is a player I want to keep.
HEAD FIRST…Cameron Carter-Vickers shows no fear as he clears from the challenging Martin Boyle in the goalless draw with Hibs at Easter Road in October last year.
“I’d seen him at clubs before and it was a challenge for him to break into Tottenham’s team. He probably needed to find a home and he’s had that here.”
The no-nonsense defensive general will miss today’s game against Buckie Thistle as he continues to recuprate from his persistent muscular problem that saw him limp off early in the second-half of the 3-0 Boxing Day win over Dundee at Dens Park.
That kept him out of the 2-1 derby success in the east end of Glasgow on December 30 and he was also sidleined for the first outing of 2024, the 3-0 victory over St Mirren 19 days ago.
Maik Nawrocki, the club’s £4.3million recruit from Legia Warsaw in the summer, played in the win in Paisley and is likely to team up with Liam Scales again against the Highland League side as the Hampden trail gets underway.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Buckie Thistle at Parkhead this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
