2 lesser spotted Celtic players fit old football cliche but Carter Vickers proves irreplaceable – Parkhead analysis

There have been times this season when Brendan Rodgers must have suspected someone was out there with a box full of voodoo dolls.

The Hoops boss has seen a succession of star turns land in the Parkhead treatment room when he could really have done with them on the park. Rodgers watched Jota and Carl Starfelt pack their bags in the summer with mainstays Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada out for long spells – before the latter departed for the MLS having barely kicked a ball this term.

Callum McGregor is the latest to spend a stint with the medical staff and Hoops fans are praying he is back in business quickly after the international break, with the vital Old Firm showdown up on April 7. But at least Rodgers is expecting some rare good news this weekend – with Cameron Carter-Vickers due to train with a view to facing St Johnstone on Saturday. The big centre back has managed just 21 appearances this term and whenever he’s been out it’s left a giant hole in the team.

Former Celt John Hughes reckons the defender’s troubles have been a major factor in the Parkhead side’s defensive frailties. And that’s why keeping the big fella fit for the run in will be absolutely vital in Celtic’s hopes of retaining the title and Scottish Cup.

Hughes said: “Carter-Vickers has been a huge loss for me at times this season. He is absolutely massive for Celtic. You look at Hatate, one of the players of the year last year, and Carter-Vickers, who could have been the player of the year. Carter-Vickers coming back will be a huge boost for Brendan. He’s a rock at the back and he’s a major part of the way they play out from the back.

“You saw the difference he made when he came on against Motherwell, he completely changed the game. He’s got