Celtic to block exit for consistent player they cannot afford to lose
Celtic will reportedly block any possible move for Cameron Carter-Vickers during the January transfer window. There have been some whispers of a potential move for the defender, who has been rather consistent this term.
The defender recently missed a couple of games through injury, and before that, he drew criticism for off-the-field comments during a tough run of form for his side.
But in terms of performances, he has been the club's most consistent centre-back, and he returned from injury with a goal-line clearance off the bench during Sunday's 2-1 win over Hibs.
Carter-Vickers has previously played down South, where he came through as a player, and there is talk he could pursue a return to the Premier League come January.
But according to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, the Bhoys won't be entertaining any offers in the winter window.
"There's been talk about Carter-Vickers leaving Celtic for a while now," he said. "Obviously he has done very well during his time at Celtic and he has become a key man in that defence under Martin O'Neill..
"I don't see anything happening in January, he's still got a key role to play for Martin O'Neill's side and will be important for them this season.
"Celtic have no plans to weaken their squad midway through the season by letting an important player like Carter-Vickers go, so they're not going to entertain that one. But come next summer then there might be an opportunity for the player to move away, and Celtic might be more open to offers for him.
"That would then, obviously, give Celtic time to seek a suitable replacement for the American as well to come in and fill that space he would leave."
Celtic must hold on to all of their cenre-backs
Celtic have enough centre-backs, but they do not have too many. Forget the fact Carter-Vickers is their best centre-back currently, they only have four reliable options at the position between Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty and Dane Murray.
The Bhoys cannot afford to allow that number to go down to three, and they don't want to find themselves searching for a new reliable centre-back in the difficult January window, when few others will be selling players at that position.
Next summer, there is every chance Carter-Vickers will have options he will want to explore, and Celtic can review the situation then, but they cannot afford to even consider it in January.
