CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS last played in a competitive game just over NINE months ago.
The rugged centre-back collapsed at the conclusion of the 2-1 Europa League triumph over Sturm Graz at Parkhead on the evening of October 23 last year.
Carter-Vickers was helped off the pitch in obvious distress – and his season ended there and then with the USA international requiring surgery on an Achilles injury.
The 28-year-old defender, who cost £6million from Spurs in the summer of 2022 after an initial impressive season-long loan, will go straight into the team against Dundee tomorrow night.
DOWN AND OUT…Cameron Carter-Vickers is grounded at the end of the 2-1 Europa League win over Sturm Graz at Parkhead in October.
As Martin O’Neill prepares to launch the champions’ bid for a sixth successive title, he will be without the banned Liam Scales, out for two games, while another left-sided performer, Auston Trusty, could prove to be a risk too far.
The £6million arrival from Sheffield United on August deadline day 2024 has not been involved in any of the warm-up encounters after being given permission to join the squad late following his efforts for the USA during the World Cup Finals.
Dane Murray is also available to the Hoops gaffer, but the 23-year-old’s progress has been hampered by fitness problems.
Quizzed if he planned to buy another stopper before the September 3 deadline, O’Neill answered: “No, not at the minute.
“Big Dane is two years behind because of injuries. I think he’s got a lot of potential. Scales and Trusty? Yeah.
“With Carter-Vickers out last year, it was a bit of a problem because Trusty ended up playing on the right-hand side.
TEAR WE GO…Cameron Carter-Vickers talks to the media.
“With Cameron back now, hopefully, we’ve got a bit of balance. He’s getting there game-by-game.
“I’d have to go back and watch some matches in the past when he was at his best.
“But the coaching staff are telling me they think he can get back to what he was, which would be very encouraging.”
O’Neill, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “I’ve never had him available since I’ve been back, so I didn’t know what he’s like.
“I’ve seen Cam play from a distance, but you don’t know until you’re working with somebody.
“His attitude is very strong, he wants to do well. He is training each day. There are only two of all the sessions we’ve had, morning and afternoon, that he’s missed out.”
Turning his attention to the possibility of giving the nod to latecomer Trusty against Steven Pressley’s Tayside outfit, O’Neill added: “I’ll have a look. He’s trained and he’s been here since last Monday.
“Physically, he’s never in bad condition. I want to see how he feels.”
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