Cameron Carter-Vickers’ verdict on Maik Nawrocki at Celtic

Celtic vice-captain Cameron Carter-Vickers has opened up on donning the armband in captain Callum McGregor’s absence, ahead of Sunday’s trip to Perthshire to face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

The USA international, who has been at the club since 2021, is now one of the senior figures in the squad, following the retirement of Joe Hart at the end of last season.

In the case of the UK-born defender, whose father is of American heritage, Carter-Vickers takes pride in being the stand-in skipper when called upon. Speaking to Celtic TV on Thursday, he said: “I’ve enjoyed it.

“I’ve done it a few times last season as well and even the season before that, but it’s a responsibility that I enjoy.

“It’s always good to lead this team out because you know what you’re going to get from them (his teammates) and that helps.”

Due to injuries to both Liam Scales and fellow USA international Auston Trusty, Brendan Rodgers has had to shuffle his defensive pack in the centre-back position. Firstly, Dane Murray came into the fray, but it has been Maik Nawrocki who has partnered with Carter-Vickers for the past two matches.

Despite the Poland defender’s lack of prior game-time, his fellow centre-back has been impressed with Nawrocki’s efforts thus far against Rangers and Hearts, respectively. Carter-Vickers said: “I think he’s done well.

“It’s tough. I can’t think of the last time he played. I’m sure it’s probably close to a year ago. So, to come in and play two games back-to-back like that, it was always going to be a challenge for him physically and mentally and also just getting back into the rhythm of things.

“However, I think he’s done well.”

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