'Won't see him': Celtic star set to miss rest of season as injury crisis deepens amid next manager update

Carter-Vickers sustained the blow at the end of a 2-1 Europa League victory on October 23 and has not played since. The 27-year-old went under the knife recently to repair the tendon and Celtic don’t expect him to return to light training until April at the earliest.

It means Carter-Vickers is now also a doubt for the United States’ World Cup campaign next summer. The bleak prognosis on the centre-half was delivered by interim manager Martin O’Neill, who is dealing with an elongated injury list ahead of what could be his final match in charge against St Mirren on Saturday night.

Asked if Carter-Vickers will miss the rest of the season, O’Neill replied: “Yeah, we will not see him. I think it might be April before he's even on grass. Funnily enough, I did ask him yesterday, did he think he would be ready for the World Cup? And he said he thought that would be very doubtful.”

Carter-Vickers’ absence is exacerbated by a torn hamstring for another vital Celtic defender in Alistair Johnston. The Canadian had surgery to cure the issue, as well as young striker Callum Osmand. O’Neill explained the timelines for the pair.

“With Alistair Johnston, it'll be four or five months,” continued O’Neill. “Callum Osmand, although they had the same operation, they had the same operation on the same day, his was worse, believe it or not. He’ll be five months.

“‘James Forrest is still missing. Kelechi Iheanacho has done some work, but wouldn't be ready for this [St Mirren]. And obviously, Jota, he's out now. I'll not see him. I'll certainly not see any of those boys that you mentioned.”

Saracchi update

There was better news on Uruguayan full-back Marcelo Saracchi, who also has a hamstring issue.

"Saracchi will also be out [for St Mirren] but he's getting close again,” said O’Neill. “I'm hoping that some of these lads, if they don't make the Feyenoord game, would at least be available for selection for the Hibs game. Which might not bother me - or it might.”

O’Neill was referring to Celtic’s ongoing search for a new manager, which is close to entering its fourth week. The 73-year-old Northern Irishman intimated that progress may happen over the weekend.

“I’m probably a bit surprised that I am (still here), I thought maybe something might have got sorted out in the international break,” O’Neill added. “But I think that there is definitely progress being made in that field.”

Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy remains the favourite to succeed Brendan Rodgers, who vacated his role as manager at the end of October.