Celtic will start their campaign this weekend. The Hoops will take on Ross County on Flag Day at Parkhead. But before that, they have one more pre-season friendly game to go. It is the most high-profile match that they have been a part of for a while, as Athletic Bilbao will face them at Parkhead in James Forrest’s Testimonial.
Of course, the focus has to be on Forrest on the day. At the same though, Brendan Rodgers has made an unexpected team selection.
Rodgers has made the bold call to start with Cameron Carter-Vickers in the heart of defence alongside Maik Nawrocki. This is the fans’ first glimpse of the Polish centre-back as well.
But Carter-Vickers might end up grabbing most of the headlines. At the end of the day, the American centre-back has not played since he underwent surgery last season. He has been recovering since then and not many would have expected him to go straight back into the starting XI to take on Athletic Bilbao.
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Carter-Vickers starting for Celtic is big news for sure. At the end of the day, he is the best centre-back that the Hoops have in their ranks at this point in time.
Also, Carter-Vickers starting may suggest that he is ready to do the same on opening day against Ross County. Let’s see how Celtic line up on the day.
Of course, it is also very important that Carter-Vickers does not end up injuring himself again, after returning to action. It is always tricky when one returns to the pitch after such a long and extended absence.
This game is about Forrest though and what he has given to the club over the years. The Scot is in the starting XI against Athletic Bilbao as one would have expected.