Former Celtic striker John Hartson has revealed that he believes Cameron Carter-Vickers brings a calmness to the defence that is simply lacking in his absence.
Carter-Vickers returned from injury at the weekend against Motherwell, impressing off the bench in the second half.
The American defender is in contention to start this evening against Dundee, with Maik Nawrocki now sidelined due to a hamstring injury suffered in Sunday’s game.
Hartson said [The Go Radio Football Show], “He’s massive. He’s a McGregor. I think when Cameron Carter-Vickers plays he brings that calmness to the back four.
“He’s good in both boxes. He’s a threat. He goes and heads it away defensively. Offensively, he attacks the ball and he’s comfortable in possession as well.
“He can come out with the ball at the back. His passing is very good. But just to have the boy’s stature at the back and alongside Scales as well.
“And I think if that back four stays fit and healthy between now and the end of the season, ideally that would be Johnston, Carter Vickers, Scales and Taylor that would be Celtic’s go-to back four.”
In his time at the club, Carter-Vickers has cemented himself as Celtic’s undisputed first-choice centre-back, and it is clear why Hartson sees him as now having a comparable influence in games to that of Hoops captain Callum McGregor.
With Liam Scales forming a partnership alongside Carter-Vickers this season for the Bhoys, it is likely that the Irish defender will partner him at the heart of the Celtic defence tonight against Dundee.
