Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is on a journey to try and ensure every one of his key men are fit to play a part in their title charge.
Club captain Callum McGregor, Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate and Republic of Ireland international Liam Scales are among our sidelined absentees; however, all could return for the trip to face Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena next weekend.
Maik Nawrocki and Luis Palma are also unavailable due to injury; meanwhile, several of our other players are away on international duty over the next week and a half.
Rodgers confirmed that despite Cameron Carter-Vickers coming through our 3-1 victory at home to St Johnstone unscathed, he is continuing his fitness recovery at Lennoxtown rather than travelling to link up with the United States national team.
He stated: “I just worried that he would then go away and be involved in a couple of games when they are big games and maybe more so in June. We had a good chat and it was decided that he stays behind and does his work with us and tries to then remain fit for the rest of the season.”
Nobody wants to take unnecessary risks with the health of our star players, so it was a sensible decision from both parties to leave Carter-Vickers in Glasgow.
The 26-year-old has been rushed back one too many times this season in the wake of various concerns, and it is refreshing to see that we aren’t about to repeat the trick.
Jim Duffy issues blunt verdict on Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers
Carter-Vickers is expected to be a pivotal player for the rest of the campaign; however, pundit Jim Duffy believes Celtic should only play the Southend-born man if he is 100% ready to perform amid the pressure of the title race.
Speaking via Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, the 64-year-old has warned Rodgers and company that they can’t afford to take any chances on his fitness.
He stated: “His quality is that he can get away with being 65 to 70% fit, but if it’s a muscle injury, that just can’t happen. You’re just going to aggravate it, you’re just going to put yourself out for longer spells, and that’s probably what’s happened (in the past).
“They’ve tried to manage it, they’ve taken him off, they’ve used him sparingly, but there comes a time at this stage in the season, you’ve got to be 100%.
“The intensity, the demands, there is no opportunity now to take the foot off the gas. You’ve got to be absolutely 100% full steam ahead if you want to win this title. Carter-Vickers has to be a vital part of that, but he has to be at his best.”
Duffy has a point. With the congested fixture schedule on the horizon, Celtic should only field Carter-Vickers if they are sure he will be able to come through fixtures without repercussions.
Without his availability, we aren’t the same force and look far more likely to concede without the former Tottenham Hotspur man’s presence.
Hopefully, we can ensure he is match-ready as we make one final push to try and claim a third successive league trophy.