Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he spoke to USMT boss Gregg Berhalter to persuade him to not pick Cameron Carter-Vickers. The central defender returned to the starting XI for the 3-1 win over St Johnstone but has not been selected for the upcoming CONCACAF Semi-Final against Jamaica.
Speaking to the media after the game, Rodgers confirmed that it had been decided with Berhalter that the Celtic defender should remain at Lennoxtown to rebuild his fitness.
🔊 LISTEN: “I spoke to Gregg (Berhalter) from the US team… it was decided he stays behind and does his work with us”.
🍀 Brendan Rodgers requested for Cameron Carter-Vickers not to go in international duty so the defender can be fit for Celtic’s title run-in. pic.twitter.com/2q3biwgQdk
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) March 16, 2024
Rodgers decided to replace the central defender with a 3-0 lead as he manages his minutes. The Irishman will want Maik Nawrocki and Liam Scales back in contention for the trip to Ibrox at the beginning of April.
CCV has had an injury hit season which has coincided with patchy Celtic performances. The manager will be desperate for his team to include CCV ahead of the run-in. With trips to Livingston and Ibrox after the international break, it is just as well that Carter-Vickers is staying behind.
