Cameron Carter-Vickers out for five months with serious Achilles tendon injury | OneFootball

Celtic picked up a vital three points in the Europa League against SK Sturm Graz but Brendan Rodgers has ended up paying a heavy price with THREE major injury blows that will further weaken his squad well into the New Year…

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic walks off injured in 3rd minute of the match to be replaced by Johnny Kenny of Celtic. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, Celtic Park – 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

First up with new signing Kelechi Iheanacho went down inside the first few minutes with what turned out to be a hamstring injury. His night was over and you could see that the striker was visibly upset. Celtic went behind to a terrific goal and also lost Alistair Johnston, just back from the hamstring injury he suffered in the ill-fated tie against Kairat Almaty back in August. This was Celtic’s second casualty of the night and with both players having to be substituted Brendan Rodgers had one further round of substitutes to make.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Bringing on Michel-Ange Balikwisha meant that the Celtic manager was unable to look to his bench in the closing stages with Cameron Carter-Vickers clearly struggling. Celtic’s Big Strong Man saw things out, and made sure of a final flurry inside the last 30 seconds of stoppage time amounted to nothing.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic looks dejected as he is substituted off the pitch during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

As the referee blew the final whistle Arne Engels celebrated but it was a different story for Cameron Carter-Vickers who looked in some pain as he lay on the turf at the edge of the penalty area. The American international was clearly a major doubt for the trip to Tynecastle on Sunday afternoon for what is clearly the game of the season so far in the Scottish Premiership.

Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates at full time during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

However, speaking to Sky Sports today, Brendan Rodgers confirmed our most fears breaking the bad news that CCV is out for  up to five months after suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury last night.

“He looks like he has done his Achilles, which could be anywhere between three and five months. So we just await confirmation of that. It’s not great news, but we will see where that one goes. Cameron has been a very important member of the squad, of course, and a great centre-half for the club.

Celtic starting eleven team group, before kick off. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

“What I always think it does is opens up an opportunity for someone else. That opportunity came to Liam Scales and he has been brilliant in my time here, and you seen his performance last night and he was so good – and it will open the door for someone else to come in and look to perform.”

Auston Trusty of Celtic arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Auston Trusty, as Just an Ordinary Bhoy mentioned earlier on The Celtic Star, is likely to start at Tynecastle and has played at the right side of the defence alongside Liam Scales on many occasions previously. Trusty too is just back from injury so hopefully he is good to go for Tynecastle.

Dane Murray of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The only other option would be Dane Murray while in the absence of Alistair Johnston, Brendan Rodgers has to decide between the experience and defensive qualities provided by Anthony Ralston or the youthful enthusiasm and attacking intent of young Colby Donovan. The Celtic manager opted for the latter last night but may go for a more cautious approach on Sunday by starting the Scotland right-back.

Johnny Kenny of Celtic shoots at goal Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, , Celtic Park – 23 Oct over 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Johnny Kenny played over 90 minutes last night after Kelechi Iheanacho left the field with just two minutes played. The Irishman will surely start on Sunday and expect Shin Yamada to return to the match-day squad. The failings of the Celtic board in the summer window really has left the manager short of players for the number nine role and this has to be one of several areas to be dealt with as a matter of urgency as soon as the January window opens.

Here’s Brendan Rodgers speaking to Sky Sports today, breaking the bad news on CCV-s injury. Sound is poor so turn up loud.

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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