CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS won’t start Celtic’s Champions League tie against Lazio, with Brendan Rodgers admitting the match has come just too soon for his star centre half to make his XI.

Carter-Vickers has been out of action since late August after limping out of his side’s match against Aberdeen with a hamstring issue, and was originally expected to be sidelined until after the forthcoming international break.

While recovering ahead of schedule, the Celtic manager said that he won’t take a risk on the American, and at best, will only call upon his services if he is required later in the game.

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“Cameron wouldn’t be to start, it’s about whether we can get him in the bench,” Rodgers said.

“And if he had to come on and play 20 minutes to half an hour then great. If not, then we’ll keep him for the weekend. But he’s shown up really well.

“He’s needing to see his reaction to our last day of training and work and take it from there.

“But he’s very positive and it’s great news for us because we didn’t think he’d be back until after the international break.

“He’s worked very hard and everything he’s done with the medical team he’s shown up very well.

“He’s obviously been back in with us a little bit. It will be like signing a new player.

“You can see that comfort blanket for the team. A centre half who is quick, strong, good on the ball, a proper man and knows football.

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“He’s a great player for Celtic. I’m really looking forward to working with him.

“I know his education, I’m very close with a guy called John McDermott and John’s technical director of the English FA. He was 15 years at Tottenham and I’ve heard John speak on Cam before and his qualities and how he good he is.

“But it’s great to see it for my own eyes and see him here.

“He’ll be a big player for us.”