CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS has convinced Brendan Rodgers he’s fit and ready to begin the new season.
Celtic’s USA defender returned to action against Athletic Bilbao in James Forrest’s testimonial in midweek.
Carter-Vickers played 45 minutes after a three-month knee surgery lay-off.
Rodgers was wary of pitching him straight in against Ross County in today’s Premiership opener.
But the Hoops boss has revealed CCV has insisted that he’s available.
Rodgers said: “He’d been out on the pitch for four to five weeks, not always with us.
“He’s still a wee bit behind but he can get the fitness through games too.
“Cam’s a naturally fit boy. He’s been very impressive since coming in. I know his education. I know John McDermott, the technical director at the English FA, very well.
“John was at Tottenham for 15 years, so I know all the boys there that have come through.
“They are well-schooled in the game and on standards. I’ve seen Cameron from afar, seen him play for Celtic several times, and was impressed.
“But to see him close up, he’s very good.”
Meanwhile, Hoops skipper Callum McGregor has challenged the squad’s new signings to prove they have what it takes to be champions.
He said: “That’s the challenge, every year you start with a new group.
“As much as we’ve been together for a couple of years, and had good success together, it’s really important to make sure there’s a hunger again to push to be successful.
“Also, there are new guys that have joined, you then have to get them up to speed as quickly as possible about what is expected to play at this club.
“If you play at Celtic, you have to be successful.
“Football always pushes you to think you can get better. There are always challenges every season.
“You have to find a way to get the team to play well.
“Then YOU have to play well and do your part within the team as well.
“We’ll probably start on Saturday and after four or five weeks something will just click, and the team will find a new way of playing.
“Then you have to adjust to that and the players have to get used to it. And it’s the same every season.
“Other teams will be trying to work out how to stop us and every 90 minutes we face, we’ll be presented with a different challenge about how to win the game.
“We have to always be flexible so it’s never a one-size approach.
“There are 38 games in the league, plus cup games, so you have to find a way to win each of those matches.”
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