Celtic’s main concern – Any injury to CCV given current alternatives

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The Celtic Star

·26 giugno 2025

Celtic’s main concern – Any injury to CCV given current alternatives

Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has made some interesting comments regarding Celtic’s central defensive options for the upcoming season, with Charlie, as reported by the Record, positing that Brendan Rodgers may not be satisfied with the central defensive partners he has for Cameron Carter-Vickers. Firstly, let’s have a look at those Mulgrew comments and see what you think, whether you agree, disagree?

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty during the UEFA Champions League Training at Lennoxtown Training on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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“I get the feeling that he’s not completely satisfied with Trusty or Scales, but then it can change. I really like Scales. Trusty’s shown he can be a good player as well. They’ll come back this pre-season and they might just hit the ground running. The way football works, they could be the main centre-back next year. Football’s a mad game.

“It happened to myself. The year I got Player of the Year, I came back and I wasn’t in the team for the first two games. Then I played the majority at centre-back and got Player of the Year in Scotland. Anything can happen.

“I’m sure Brendan Rodgers will be assessing that and seeing who’s the best fit to play. That’s the good thing about Brendan Rodgers, he’s always keeping people on their toes by knowing if they don’t perform, they’ll be replaced. As a player, you want to be kept on your toes and not be resting your laurels.”

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales in training at Lennoxtown. Photo Celtic FC

My initial thoughts on Mulgrew’s comments were to in the main agree. Rodgers chopping and changing of Auston Trust and Liam Scales can certainly point to a manager remaining unconvinced by either player, but it does get you to thinking – Is this a left-side of central defence issue or is it the case that Cameron Carter-Vickers, from all the available defenders at Celtic, the only central defender that Brendan Rodgers trusts entirely?

The American international continues to be the bedrock of Celtic’s defence, a player who inspires calm, confidence, and consistency every time he steps on the pitch. But with a new campaign comes renewed scrutiny. Celtic have options at centre-back, some experienced, others emerging, yet the central question persistsIs Carter-Vickers still the only central defender Rodgers truly trusts?

Celtic v Slovan Bratislava – UEFA Champions League – Kasper Schmeichel in discussion with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales during the match at Celtic Park on Wednesday September 18, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

There’s no ambiguity here. When Carter-Vickers plays, Celtic are structurally sound and appear secure and composed. His strength, intelligence, and cool decision-making seems to elevate those around him. Since arriving from Spurs, his impact has been transformational especially evident during his injury absences last season, when the backline arguably lost its shape a little, and even some general assurance.

In Rodgers’ system, Carter-Vickers isn’t just a defender. He’s the anchor, the communicator, the benchmark. Whether paired with an established name or a prospect still learning the ropes, he remains the constant presence that everything else, it seems, orbits around.

With the defensive landscape shifting on the back of the last campaign it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Auston Trusty and Dane Murray.

Auston Trusty. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Trusty was signed from Sheffield United last summer for a decent fee, reported to be around £6m, and brought initially a blend of physicality and composure on the ball that saw him briefly play a prominent role. A left-footed centre-half with a high work rate and versatility, Trusty should really suit the modern game and, crucially, seemed aligned with Rodgers’ preference for defenders who can build play from the back. Early signs were encouraging — he looked confident, vocal, and ready to challenge Liam Scales as Carter-Vickers partner. However, confidence dropped off, fear seemed to emerge in his game and there remains a big worry – if you are hooked in a cup final at half-time, do you ever really recover from that?

Jamie Gullan of Raith Rovers controls the ball whilst under pressure from Dane Murray of Celtic during the Scottish Cup match between Celtic FC and Raith Rovers FC at Celtic Park on February 08, 2025.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Then there’s Dane Murray who had apparently quietly impressed after returning from injury setbacks, only to suffer yet more injury setbacks. This is becoming a worrying pattern for the young man but considering the severity of the injuries he did suffer in his early stages in the first team squad, some minor ones were likely to follow, given how long he had been away from the physical nature of first team football.

Murray only turned 22 today, and he does possess natural anticipation and the kind of understated maturity that coaches value. While not expected to displace Carter-Vickers, he’s shown, according to the manager and the noises coming out of the club, enough in training and bounce games to be more than a developmental project. If he continues progressing, he could become a viable rotational option, particularly in domestic fixtures.

Liam Scales.Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Liam Scales, after a commendable 2023/24 season, was just as steady last season and appears to remain remains in Rodgers’ plans. His versatility and game intelligence earned him his opportunity during an injury-hit period in Rodgers first season, and to his credit, he didn’t let the side down. Rodgers appreciates his consistency — but much like last year, Scales still appears to be the plus-one in any pairing with Carter-Vickers, rather than a central pillar in his own right. He may have earned Rodgers’ respect, but with the Champions League on the horizon, trust at the highest level remains an open question.

Maik Nawrocki celebrate. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The two other central defenders who were expected to at least add depth to the squad, Gustaf Lagérbielke and Maik Nawrocki, came into their first season with high expectations. But both were beset by injuries and uneven performances in that first campaign.

Gustaf Lagerbielke of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at Feyenoord Stadion de Kuip on September 19, 2023.Photo VI ANP Sport Jeroen Putmans

Lagérbielke often looked uncertain under pressure, and it was no surprise he went out on loan to FC Twente, where his spell started poorly, improved to an extent before dropping off again before then end of the season. His lack of recovery pace in a high line defence, probably means we’ve been landed a bad fit for a Celtic defender.

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Meanwhile while Nawrocki’s positional lapses remain evident, although to his credit there were signs when playing in Carter-Vickers position as a rotational option that he could still offer something. But given Dane Murray was the player earmarked for end of season minutes, only to fall foul of injuries again, you really do get the impression Rodgers has made up his mind when it comes to Maik Nawrocki.

Rodgers’ reluctance to rely on either — even when they were fit — speaks volumes. Unless this pre-season reveals a dramatic improvement, it’s hard to see either player forcing their way back into the starting conversation, particularly with Trusty now in the mix and Murray rising.

Stephen Welsh at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Stephen Welsh, while a reliable squad member and academy graduate, seems to have plateaued in terms of his role. Rodgers values his professionalism and ability to cover in emergencies, but if he’s starting regularly, something’s gone wrong elsewhere. He remains a depth option — nothing more, nothing less. Indeed, after a season on loan at Mechelen it may well be Welsh himself will have the taste for regular first team football, and that may be best for all concerned.

As things stand heading into a new campaign, Cameron Carter-Vickers remains the only Celtic centre-back with Rodgers’ full trust.

Others are either still proving themselves, learning the system, or regaining form. Trusty could be the closest to altering that equation – and Murray may surprise — but the American’s consistency, presence, and tactical intelligence continue to set him apart.

Brendan Rodgers. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

With a gruelling domestic schedule and the Champions League looming, Brendan Rodgers will need more than just one dependable name. Whether it’s Trusty stepping up, Murray maturing, or a new face arriving before the window closes, Celtic can’t afford to lean too heavily on one man again.

Because if Carter-Vickers goes down, the gap between reliable and replaceable is still too wide for a team with European ambitions.

Niall J

Alec McNair, Celtic’s Icicle by David Potter. Available at Celticstarbooks.com – currently £5 off in our summer sale!

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