CCV in cold storage as Celt faces fitness fight

CELTIC are facing a pre-season fitness sweat over stopper Cameron Carter-Vickers.

- BY SCOTT BURNS

The US international is back at Lennoxtown but has still to train with the rest of Brendan Rodgers' first-team squad.

There have even been suggestions that he has had an operation over the summer but that remains unconfirmed. Celtic have had to manage the influential defender's workload in recent seasons to keep him fit.

CCV has been a key player for the Hoops and gaffer Rodgers knows that will be the case again this time around.

The champions kick off their campaign in just over a month's time against St Mirren.

Rodgers' side then have a Champions League qualifier in the middle of next month.