Celtic receive a boost as a firm date for Cameron Carter-Vickers’ return is announced.

Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers hopes to resume training at Lennoxtown during the next international break, which means he could be back in action in less than a month.

Carter-Vickers returned to action against Ross County and Aberdeen last month after recovering from knee surgery over the summer. However, a hamstring injury prompted him to leave the game at Pittodrie, and he has been missing since.

Brendan Rodgers stated in the build-up to Saturday’s trip to Livingston that Carter-Vickers is slated for a 9th October return to training, which is the first day of the next international break.

The Bhoys host Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on 7th October and won’t play again until the visit to Tynecastle and Hearts on 22nd October. That looks like the game that the USA international could return for.

If everything stays on schedule, the standout defender will also be available for the UEFA Champions League match at home to Atletico Madrid.

Rodgers has been forced to name makeshift defences in recent weeks, although previously fringe players such as Liam Scales have stepped up and contributed well.

Still, Carter-Vickers’ return will be a huge boost for the Bhoys. The Celtic defense will be a totally different beast if the medical team can get him ready and the player himself can find consistency in form.

Nobody will want to rush him back because of the possibility of extra issues, but if he returns to training on the 9th, he’ll have two weeks at Lennoxtown to get match-ready. It’s an excellent window.