NafisaCeltic finally have one of their most important defensive figures back on the pitch, but Martin O’Neill is still waiting for the answer that could determine his plans for the coming fixtures.
Sunday’s hard-fought victory over Hibernian brought three crucial Scottish Premiership points, yet it also left the Celtic manager facing fresh questions about his defensive options. One returning player made an immediate impact, while another saw his comeback cut short in an unfortunate twist.
With another important fixture approaching, O’Neill’s latest comments have offered supporters a clearer picture of the situation — although there is still one major fitness question hanging over Celtic.
Cameron Carter-Vickers Makes Immediate Impact Against Hibs
Celtic travelled to Easter Road on Sunday, October 25, knowing that securing another league victory would be important after a difficult run of results in Europe.
The visitors endured an early scare when Hibernian scored inside the opening three minutes, but a Hibs own goal quickly brought Celtic level before Camilo Durán struck shortly before half-time to give O’Neill’s side a 2-1 lead.
However, the second half proved far from comfortable for the visitors as Hibs continued searching for an equaliser.
That was when Cameron Carter-Vickers demonstrated exactly why his return could prove so important to Celtic.
The American international came off the bench after replacing Alistair Johnston, who had been forced off just 21 minutes into his own comeback from injury.
Carter-Vickers did not take long to make his presence felt, producing a crucial defensive block to prevent a goal-bound effort from finding the net.
With Celtic protecting a narrow advantage away from home, the intervention helped preserve their lead and ensured they left Edinburgh with all three points.
For O’Neill, seeing the experienced centre-back back in action was a welcome development after his frustrating spell on the sidelines.
Martin O’Neill Delivers Cautious Fitness Verdict
Speaking after the final whistle, O’Neill made no secret of his satisfaction with Carter-Vickers’ contribution, particularly the decisive moment that helped Celtic see out the contest.
“Really satisfying, absolutely.
“Big block for us as well, too, because it’s goal-bound.”
Those comments underlined the importance of Carter-Vickers’ return, especially given the defensive problems Celtic have faced during a demanding period of domestic and European football.
However, the manager stopped short of offering an outright guarantee about the defender’s immediate availability for the next match.
O’Neill explained that Celtic would be keen to get both Carter-Vickers and Johnston back into contention, while also praising the young defender who has stepped up in their absence.
“I think that big Dane Murray has done really fine, just trying to get Cameron and Alistair just back into the fold again. So, hopefully, if Cameron is okay, I think then that’ll be good news for us if he’s come through that.”
The manager’s choice of words is significant. Rather than confirming that Carter-Vickers is ready to start regularly again, O’Neill made clear that his condition following the comeback remains an important consideration.
Celtic will therefore be eager to establish how the defender has responded physically before deciding how much involvement he can manage in the coming fixtures.
Dane Murray Gives Celtic Another Defensive Option
While Carter-Vickers’ return has attracted attention, Dane Murray deserves recognition for the role he has played during Celtic’s injury problems.
The young defender has enjoyed an extended run in the starting eleven alongside Liam Scales, gaining valuable experience in both domestic and European competition.
His opportunity came during a period when Celtic were without some of their more established defensive options, and he has given O’Neill another player to consider when selecting his backline.
The manager’s public praise for Murray suggests that the youngster has done enough to remain part of the conversation, even as senior players begin returning.
That could leave O’Neill with a selection decision once Carter-Vickers is considered fully fit.
The American brings experience and familiarity to Celtic’s defence, but Murray’s recent performances mean the manager has another option rather than having to rush a returning player straight back into the starting lineup.
For Celtic, having greater depth available would be welcome news as the fixture schedule continues to place demands on the squad.
Alistair Johnston Concern Adds To Celtic’s Defensive Worries
Carter-Vickers’ comeback was encouraging, but Johnston’s situation provided an unwanted complication.
The Canadian had only recently returned from his own injury absence, having been sidelined since early August, before being forced off just 21 minutes into his appearance against Hibernian.
His early withdrawal raised further questions about Celtic’s defensive availability, particularly with another match approaching.
O’Neill will need to assess the situation before determining whether Johnston can feature again soon, while Carter-Vickers must also come through his return without any further fitness problems.
The possibility of losing either player again would be an unwelcome setback for a Celtic side attempting to build momentum after a challenging period.
Celtic Turn Attention To Dundee United Clash
Celtic’s next assignment comes on Wednesday against Dundee United, giving O’Neill limited time to assess his returning defenders and settle on his preferred lineup.
Carter-Vickers’ crucial block at Easter Road has already demonstrated the value of having him available, but the manager’s cautious comments indicate that his fitness remains the immediate priority.
Murray has earned praise for stepping up during the injury absences, while Johnston’s early withdrawal has created another question that needs answering.
For now, Celtic can take encouragement from their 2-1 victory and Carter-Vickers’ contribution. Whether the American is ready for a more substantial role against Dundee United will depend on how he responds after his first appearance back.
O’Neill will be hoping that Sunday’s comeback marks the beginning of a more settled period for his defence rather than another temporary return interrupted by injury concerns.
Nafisa
