The Carter Vickers Stories Are Not Something Celtic Fans Should Let Bother Them.

Cameron Carter Vickers, wanted by West Ham.

This is the latest story to be annoying a lot of Celtic fans.

I’ve been saying for a few weeks now to expect the unexpected in this window, and not to let any of it overly concern you. There are going to be changes, and perhaps even big changes, and maybe in areas where some are going to express their surprise.

Nothing is going to surprise me. But I doubt we have to worry here in any case.

Julen Lopetegui, the Spanish coach, has just taken over at The Hammers. Is his first signing really going to be a defender from the SPFL with a questionable fitness record? Let’s be honest, that’s the way that top tier scouts and analytics guy might decide to view it.

With the Euros on and top talents everywhere staking their claim, is this the man they think can take their club to the next level? Look, everyone knows how much I love Carter Vickers, but there are plenty of reasons to think that this is just rubbish.

It’s another example of our media having nothing to write. If you have a look at where this story has originated, it’s clearly not something to take very seriously. The same story links him with Ipswich, and if Carter Vickers leaves Celtic for Ipswich then we’re doing something very, very wrong. These are the usual repositories of clickbait guff … it’s people trawling for news to write.

But let’s, for a moment, assume the “worst” case scenario turns to be true. I am worried about Carter Vickers staying fit, and if we get an offer in the eight figures I don’t know if we’d be smart or stupid to turn it down. That could buy us two players in the centre back position, and allow Rodgers to progress with his restructuring of the side.

As I said, the manager has prepared us to be surprised here. He has told us that he thinks that changes to the squad, whether you call it rotation or evolution or whatever name you put on it, is to be expected and he considers it normal. I don’t expect the starting eleven at the end of next season to bear more than a passing resemblance to the one that finished this one.

If Carter Vickers is sold, or Kyogo, or O’Riley or whoever, the only question we need to ask ourselves is this; do we trust that the manager knows what he’s doing? This presupposes that we trust that he’s the one making the decisions … but this summer, if that’s not happening, then we have more to worry about than just replacing a couple of players.