Former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara has praised the performances of Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The American international moved to the Hoops from Tottenham on a permanent basis last summer for £6m, and McNamara says the defender’s contributions need to be recognised:

“Carter-Vickers has been the player of the year. He’s been solid and he isn’t scared to go one-v-one or leave himself a bit exposed at the back,” he said. He’s strong and he reads the game well but he can play as well, he’s been a terrific signing.”

The 25-year-old has been outstanding, and the fact that he is played 90 minutes in every league match he has been available for this season demonstrates the trust that manager Ange Postecoglou places in him.

There have been some concerns about Carter-Vickers’ fitness recently, with reports suggesting that he requires surgery to fix a knee problem. However, the centre-back did start against Motherwell at the weekend and he is expected to face Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday as well.

Whether Carter-Vickers will then have an operation or the injury will be managed until the end of the season, we shall have to wait and see but, no matter what happens, he has been a key figure in the team’s success over the course of the campaign.