Celtic have decided to postpone much-needed surgery to USA international Cameron Carter-Vickers until after the Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Rangers.
The Gers are set to go head-to-head with their eternal rivals at the national stadium nest weekend with the prize a place in the Scottish Cup showpiece at the end of the season.
With the other semi-final set to be contested by Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the winner of the Rangers and Celtic clash will have a golden shot at glory in the competition.
After Celtic lifted the League Cup, and Rangers transpired to chuck away the Premiership title, all that’s left for the Ibrox side is the Scottish Cup and halting a fifth Celtic treble in seven seasons.
But Rangers will have to overcome a Celtic side which includes influential defender Cameron Carter-Vickers who – according to the Daily Record – is carrying a serious injury.
Celtic to delay Cameron Carter Vickers surgery until after Rangers clash
They claim that the defender needs surgery on a knee injury but that the Parkhead side will risk the player for the Rangers semi-final in hope of getting themselves to the Hampden showpiece.
The report states:
“The USA international has been playing through the pain barrier with a knee injury and has remained one of Ange Postecoglou’s top performers.
“But the iron man defender could go under the knife after next weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final showdown with Rangers in a bid to be fighting fit for the start of next season.”
Rangers know all too well the impact of injuries on this campaign and perhaps the absence of Cameron Carter Vickers would be a welcome boost against Celtic.
The Ibrox side have their own defensive injury sweats heading into the game with major doubts surrounding influential vice-captain Connor Goldson, who missed the 3-2 defeat at Parkhead.
It’s time for the Rangers team to stand up and be counted against Celtic at Hampden with anything but victory consigning so many in this squad to an Ibrox legacy defined by losing in the big moments.