O'Neill Gives Lowdown on Carter-Vickers Decision

Martin O’Neill explains his Cameron Carter-Vickers decision

He hasn't hardly missed a minute of pre-season, and also the games. He's been out for a year, and he was just feeling really sore on Saturday evening.

Joe McHugh September 10, 2026

Martin O’Neill is hoping to have Cameron Carter-Vickers available for Sunday’s visit to Ibrox.

The former Spurs man had played in 90 minutes of Celtic’s eight competitive matches up until last night’s win over St Johnston. That works out at every minute of action except the extra-time played away to LASK.

O’Neill made five changes for the match at St Mirren with only the absence of Yang Hyun-jun enforced.

When Carter-Vickers wasn’t listed on the bench alongside Ben Nygren and Camilo Duran there was some concern among Celtic supporters.

Following the 1-0 win all thoughts instantly turned to Ibrox on Sunday with the guessing game underway over who makes the Starting XI.

Covering the post-match media conference The Celtic Way reports:

QUESTION: Do you expect to call on Cameron Carter-Vickers come the weekend?

I’m hoping that he would be available, yes, for us. He hasn’t hardly missed a minute of pre-season, and also the games. He’s been out for a year, and he was just feeling really sore on Saturday evening.

I’ve got much time for big Dane Murray. I’ve got a lot of time for him. I think he’s got a proper career. His injuries have curtailed him for a while, but he’s just coming through.

I think he’s got a really decent future, and things to pick up on. But yes, in terms of Carter-Vickers, he should be okay for Sunday.

Against St Johnstone Murray paired up with Auston Trusty in the centre of defence, keeping a clean sheet.

Now into his sixth season at Celtic Carter-Vickers is the most experienced option in central defence, when he is fit and available he plays.

DECISION TIME FOR MARTIN O’NEILL

Who plays alongside Carter-Vickers on Sunday will be a key decision for O’Neill to make.

Kieran Tierney looks likely start at left-back but is equally unlikely to last the full 90 minutes with Liam Scales his deputy.

O’Neill has to decide whether to start with Scales alongside Carter-Vickers knowing that the Irishman is likely to be required at left-back at some stage.

Or whether to start with Trusty with Scales primed to come on at some point to replace Tierney who played for the last 10 minutes last night after missing the games against Aberdeen and St Mirren.

With Kasper Hogh back in action the only players currently out injured are Alistair Johnston and Jota.

O’Neill will hold a pre-match media conference on Friday with the team for Ibrox announced at 10.45am on Sunday.