Could there be a chance for CCV tonight? Brendan Rodgers yesterday surprised everyone with the news that CCV could be ready for tonight’s clash with Lazio. Brendan said that Carter-Vickers is ahead of schedule fitness wise and he wouldn’t play him if he wasn’t ready.
Here’s exactly what the Celtic manager said at his media conference at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon.
“In terms of Nat, he came through fine so he will be available. Cam, we wouldn’t take a risk unless he was fit. He has come through really, really well. He is further down the road than we thought.
“He has had a real good week of training and he’s been doing lots of other work out on the field before that. I said before that (his return) might have been after the international break but he’s made great progress, so we will just assess that to see if he can be in for the squad and if he is, then obviously it would be great news for us.”
That to me translates that he could very well indeed be in tonight’s squad. Whether that’s a starting berth or a place on the bench remains to be seen. Lack of fitness and coming back too quickly seem the drawbacks, but a fit and ready CCV would give us an incredible boost in defence.
The big American is our best centre half without a doubt, and despite the resurgence of Liam Scales this would be greatly benefit our backline. Nat Phillips is of course ready to go and got a further 30 minutes or so under his belt on Saturday against Motherwell, which is vital due to the suspension of Gustav Lagerbielke.
This pointed to the on loan Liverpool defender starting at the back with Liam Scales. Well in all honesty it was our only option. But with the news that CCV could make a dramatic comeback is something none of us were expecting, and something that’s gave us a bit of hope , but will he play, indeed will he start? We’ll wait and see.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Join The Celtic Star at the Kerrydale on Thursday 19 October when we celebrate the launch of Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan which tells the story of Gordon Strachan’s first season as Celtic manager. We’ll have the trophies that the Celtic team won that season plus well delighted welcome our special guests John Hartson and Stephen McManus, both stars of that Celtic team.
And we have other guests to be announced later this week plus there’s live music from the wonderful Boolavogue. Tickets are selling fast for what is sure to be a wonderful night of Celtic conversation and music and you can order below…
