Celtic struggled without the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back during the 4-2 win over Livingston in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.
The centre-back partnership of Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales looked rather shaky, with many raising questions about the absence of Gustaf Lagerbielke from the starting lineup.
Despite signing for the Hoops from Elfsborg for £3m in the summer, Lagerbielke has barely featured and supporters on X have questioned manager Brendan Rodgers’ decision to snub the defender:
We've known all season that CCV wasn't right but we did nothing about in January. Unfortunately we will reap what we sow come the end of the season, and Rodgers consistent ignoring of Lagerbielke will ultimately cost him his job.
— Hoopybhoy 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@PaddyBhoy1965) March 10, 2024
How?
Also lagerbielke needs to be playing. No excuses
— Adam Idah CSC (@RealLoganMac) March 10, 2024
Please play Lagerbielke & Nawrocki.
— celtictees🇵🇸 (@celtictees67) March 10, 2024
Lagerbielke is a Swedish international. He surely must be better than Scales and Welsh? Its getting painful watching that pairing.
— Daryl (@darylbhoy) March 10, 2024
You cannot tell me Liam Scales is better than Gustav Lagerbielke.
Give him a fair go in that team, as anyone is better than Scales.
— JM🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@redoctoberirp) March 10, 2024
When lagerbielke has played or came on in the scottish premiership We’ve conceded 1 goal and not lost a game. We have to sit here n believe the manager thinks Welsh is better than him?
— JB (@JB_89_) March 10, 2024
Lagerbielke must be looking at they two thinking wtf do I need to do to get into that team.
— Glasgows Bhoy (@GlasgowsBhoy) March 10, 2024
Why is Lagerbielke being overlooked?
It’s clear that Rodgers didn’t want to sign the Swedish international and he has made his feelings clear by using him sparingly over the course of this season.
Since his arrival in August, Lagerbielke has made just 9 appearances, making 6 starts in total. The Livingston fixture was only the third time he had made a matchday squad since his last game against St Mirren back in early January.
When will Carter-Vickers be available for Celtic again?
Speaking before the victory against Livingston, Rodgers said that the American international was left out of the squad for Sunday’s game as a “precaution”.
It is believed that Carter-Vickers has a tight hamstring and he remains a major doubt for the Hoops’ next match against St Johnstone on Saturday.
