GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 30: The Celtic players stand for a minutes silence in memory of former Dundee United Manager Jim McLean prior to the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on December 30, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtics injury update for Cameron Carter-Vickers
Cameron Carter-Vickers will shortly resume first-team training at Celtic, according to Brendan Rodgers.
However, the United States international is still a long way from returning to the starting XI.
Since Celtic’s 3-1 win over Aberdeen in the early weeks of the season, the defender has been out injured.
In a bitter early-season blow for the champs, the 25-year-old was ruled out for up to two months.
Rodgers says the ex-Tottenham player is making good progress in his recuperation, but he won’t be ready to play until after the international break, at the absolute least.
“Well, we’ve got Cam coming back in to re-join the training group, but I wouldn’t expect him to be ready until after the international break,” he stated.
“We’re keeping an eye on Nat Phillips; he’s rejoined the group, but we need to double-check his ankle.”
“However, that appears to be much improved. Hopefully (he’ll return) for the weekend. Nobody else who has been hurt will be returning.”
Rodgers also denies knowing how close Reo Hatate is to signing a new contract with Celtic.
Earlier this week, speculations surfaced claiming that the Japanese midfielder was on the approach of signing a long-term contract.
Celtic executives are understood to have been in talks with the Japan international and his representatives for some time.
This summer, his teammates Kyogo, Daizen Maeda, Callum McGregor, and Liel Abada all signed to new contracts with Brendan Rodgers.
Hatate is expected to join them, but the boss is unsure how long it will take before an announcement is made.
When asked about the Hatate reports during his pre-Motherwell press conference, he said, “I haven’t been made aware of that.”
“I’ll talk to Michael (Nicholson) later, but to be fair to the club, the club has been contacting the agent for quite some time.” But I’m not sure where it is right now.”
Anthony Ralston is one player that recently signed a new contract.
The academy youngster committed his long-term future to his boyhood club by signing a new four-year contract on Tuesday.
