There have been times this season when Brendan Rodgers must have suspected someone was out there with a box full of voodoo dolls.
The Hoops boss has seen a succession of star turns land in the Parkhead treatment room when he could really have done with them on the park. Rodgers watched Jota and Carl Starfelt pack their bags in the summer with mainstays Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada out for long spells – before the latter departed for the MLS having barely kicked a ball this term.
Callum McGregor is the latest to spend a stint with the medical staff and Hoops fans are praying he is back in business quickly after the international break, with the vital Old Firm showdown up on April 7. But at least Rodgers is expecting some rare good news this weekend – with Cameron Carter-Vickers due to train with a view to facing St Johnstone on Saturday. The big centre back has managed just 21 appearances this term and whenever he’s been out it’s left a giant hole in the team.
Former Celt John Hughes reckons the defender’s troubles have been a major factor in the Parkhead side’s defensive frailties. And that’s why keeping the big fella fit for the run in will be absolutely vital in Celtic’s hopes of retaining the title and Scottish Cup.
Hughes said: “Carter-Vickers has been a huge loss for me at times this season. He is absolutely massive for Celtic. You look at Hatate, one of the players of the year last year, and Carter-Vickers, who could have been the player of the year. Carter-Vickers coming back will be a huge boost for Brendan. He’s a rock at the back and he’s a major part of the way they play out from the back.
“You saw the difference he made when he came on against Motherwell, he completely changed the game. He’s got every tool in the box. He’s strong, he’s good in the air and he’s really quick. You can see the way he reads the game, he’s a step ahead of everyone else. You look at the record he has when he’s been in the team, Celtic have barely lost a game he’s been involved in. It’s a difficult one because when you have a bad injury, it’s easy to pick up little niggles along the way when you are coming back.
“You’ve seen that with him this season. I know there’s been some criticism of the centre backs. But Liam Scales has gone up the gears and become a mainstay. I like a left sided centre half as well. He looked to be on his way out last summer after his loan spell at Aberdeen, but fair play to the lad. He has really grabbed his chance and been one of the first names on Brendan’s team sheet this season. I like Welsh as well, he never lets you down, he’s just a lad that just needs games after struggling with injuries. I like the pair of them but you need to have that experience alongside you, and that’s Carter-Vickers for me.”
Then there is the mystery of the summer centre back recruits. Maik Nawrocki arrived for £4m and Gustaf Lagerbielke landed for £3m, but neither of the pair have managed to become regulars. Nawrocki has been plagued by injuries while Lagerbielke struggled to settle after a frantic start and admitted himself he might need to look at his future in the summer after he came close to a loan exit in January.
Hughes insisted fans need to trust Rodgers – but it’s Carter-Vickers who has to be wrapped in cotton wool. The former Hibs and Falkirk boss – who was part of Tommy Burns’ swashbuckling Hoops side in the 90s – said: “A lot is made of the guys who are not playing.
"It’s funny, the less players play, the better they get sometimes. Nawrocki and Lagerbielke have also had some injury problems this season and they haven’t been able to nail down regular spots in the team.
“The only option that matters is the managers and Brendan will see them in training. It might be that they still need to develop a bit more, but he will pick the team he feels is best equipped. That means if Carter-Vickers is fit, then he has to play. You’ve got to think him staying fit for the rest of the season will be absolutely crucial for Celtic.”
Celtic will need all their experienced campaigners for the run in with the league fight turning into the home straight. The Hoops have seen an eight point lead turn into a two point deficit but it’s game on with a couple of Old Firm games still to come. Celts will be looking to go top on Saturday with a win against Saints – and then see how Rangers cope with playing catch up at Dundee on Sunday.
Hughes said: “People will look at the form of Rangers but Celtic will embrace the challenge. The fans will be edgy but the message in the dressing room will be to stay calm. They have been here before and know what it takes. The players will be hurting for giving that lead away. Brendan will be hurting more than any of them. But you can see the desire in the team with the late goals they have scored. That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s about quality and that never say die attitude.” It’s gone now and it is all about the next nine games.”
