Carter-Vickers Injury: Impact on Celtic Until March
Celtic faces a significant challenge with the injury of key defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is expected to be sidelined until March. The absence of Carter-Vickers, who has played in 13 out of 15 matches this season, raises concerns for manager Brendan Rodgers.
Carter-Vickers Injury: Impact on Celtic Until March
The team has several available centre-backs, but they lack experienced options. Here’s a look at the current situation regarding Celtic’s defensive lineup:
Available Defenders
- Trusty: Struggling with injury, he has only featured for 62 minutes this season.
- Murray: A young option with just three appearances to his name.
- Hayato Inamura: Recently signed from Albirex Niigata, he made one appearance in a 3-0 victory over Livingston.
- Jahmai Simpson-Pusey: A loan signing from Manchester City, he has also played only once for the B team.
Rodgers is faced with a critical decision on how to structure his defense. His options are limited due to injury concerns and player experience.
Strategic Considerations
If Rodgers opts for Scales as the primary centre-back, he must determine suitable pairings for the remaining defenders. However, it’s important to note that Inamura and Simpson-Pusey are not registered for European play, restricting their involvement to domestic matches.
With Celtic set to face league leaders Hearts soon, the manager must act quickly. Mistakes in this crucial match could prove costly.
As the team navigates this challenging period, the impact of Carter-Vickers’ absence will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. The upcoming games will test the depth and adaptability of Celtic’s defensive strategy until his return in March.
