BRENDAN RODGERS is hoping Cameron Carter-Vickers is problem-free to return for Celtic’s Premiership encounter against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday evening.
One glance at the USA international’s incredible statistics in the Hoops first team since his deadline-day loan arrival from Spurs in September 2021 emphasises why the central defender is so crucial to the champions.
Carter-Vickers, who made his switch to Parkhead permanent the following summer in a £6million deal, has lost a mere FOUR games in 110 domestic appearances.
Coincidentally, the rock-solid back-four performer sampled a rare defeat on his last outing in Gorgie back in March when Rodgers’ men controversially went down 2-0 to the hosts after having Yang Hyun-jun absurdly red-carded in the 14th minute.
GREEN FOR GO…Cameron Carter-Vickers and his Celtic team-mates pose for the line-up pic before the 6-0 rout of Aberdeen in the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Matters got worse when VAR official John Beaton detected the ball brushing the arm of Tomoki Iwata and Steven Naismith’s team gleefully accepted the resultant penalty-kick to net the opener on their way to victory.
To add to the visitors’ misery, Adam Idah had earlier squandered a spot-kick when he clattered a woeful effort off the legs of Zander Clark and the ball bounced to safety.
The capital side had won by the same scoreline in the east end of Glasgow the previous December and CCV’s other losses came early in his career at Livingston and then a Scottish Cup semi-final reverse against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox outfit when Carl Starfelt unfortunately deflected in the deciding goal near the end of extra-time.
This season, the 26-year-old Southend-born centre-back has made seven league appearances – and the team have won the lot without conceding a solitary goal.
Carter-Vickers was rested in the 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock on the plastic pitch at Rugby Park just before the international break, but his manager is ready to give him the green light in Edinburgh.
Rodgers said: “Cameron had three games in a short period of time after being out for a little spell.
RISE AND SHINE…a detremined Cameron Carter-Vickers leaps above friend and foe to bullet in the opener against the Dons.
“So, he has done Dundee, Aberdeen and RB Leipzig in close proximity. He felt a little fatigue in his hamstring with the work that we’ve put into him.
“It nothing serious. We didn’t want to risk anything and he will be ready for Hearts when we come back.”
Laidback Carter-Vickers found difficulty in recalling the defeats and said: “In the first season, I lost to Livingston away. I think that was my first loss away from home. We lost Hearts away 2-0, after we went down to 10 men. That was a bit unlucky.
“But, yeah, there’s not been many. To be honest, that’s what I pride myself on – the consistency. I try to get it from myself and everyone else. That’s something I definitely care about and try to do.
“It’s not the case that if I’m in the team we win. I can obviously help, but it’s on everyone else, as well. It’s nice for people to say, but the reality is it’s a combined effort from everyone.”
The 18 times-capped international, speaking to the Daily Record, played down his part of an onfield leader and added: “I don’t really think about that too much.
HEAD BHOY…Cameron Carter-Vickers in an aerial duel in the 3-0 win at Motherwell.
“When I’m out there I try to help the team as much as I can.
“If I can affect others and maybe help them raise their game then that’s even better. For me, when I’m out there, it’s about trying to help the team win as many games as possible.”
Carter-Vickers even took time off his defensive duties to thump in a header for the breakthrough goal to spark the 6-0 romp against Aberdeen in the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final at the beginning of the month.
That set up a return to Hampden on Sunday December 15 for a silverware showdown against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side.
Everyone with a Celtic connection will be hoping the unassuming defender will be at the heart of the rearguard as they eye the trophy that got away last season.
Carter-Vickers will be ready to play his part in rectifying that situation.
