Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has pledged his long-term future to the club. The American centre-back made the commitment while discussing his recovery from a serious Achilles injury, as reported by The Herald.
Carter-Vickers, 28, missed nine months of action after being injured against Sturm Graz last October. He has now started and completed all three of Celtic's competitive matches at the beginning of the 2026/27 season. Speaking ahead of the Champions League playoff first leg against Austrian side LASK, he confirmed his contentment at Parkhead. "I'm very happy here," Carter-Vickers said. "I'm just looking forward to this season really."
How is Carter-Vickers' fitness now?
While back in the lineup, the defender admits he is not yet at his physical peak. The nature of the Achilles injury means regaining the final few percent of sharpness takes time. "Having been out for so long, I probably don't quite feel physically at 100 per cent yet," he stated. He views the process as a normal part of any player's season, with constant physical fluctuations. Carter-Vickers also revealed the mental side of the long layoff did not trouble him, accepting the injury as a random event beyond his control.
What has changed at Celtic since his injury?
The squad has undergone significant changes during his absence. Brendan Rodgers resigned as manager, and Martin O'Neill had two interim spells before being appointed permanently in June. Carter-Vickers believes the current group is stronger. He pointed to summer signings Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Haissem Hassan, and Mika Baur, who were bought for a combined fee around £30 million. These players are in contention to face LASK and have, in his view, started well. You can see how the squad is shaping up on our squad page.
What is the challenge against LASK?
The Austrian double winners represent a step up from Kairat Almaty, who eliminated Celtic at this stage last summer. Carter-Vickers acknowledged the physical test ahead, noting LASK have "a lot of athletes in the team." A specific threat comes from their 6ft 4in striker, Samuel Adeniran. "Sometimes the big ones can be a bit tricky to play against," Carter-Vickers added, "but it's something that I enjoy." The team is keen to move past last year's European disappointment.
Why is Champions League qualification important?
For Carter-Vickers and the squad, returning to Europe's elite competition is a major objective. "As a player, as a team, you want to compete against the best teams, the best players in the world," he concluded. The Champions League provides that platform. With the playoff tie poised, the immediate focus is on navigating past LASK. The team's upcoming schedule, including domestic fixtures, can be tracked on our fixtures page. Securing group-stage football would be a significant boost for the season's ambitions and is the clear next step for this evolving Celtic side.
