Key Celtic star who Martin O’Neill loves could quit for Premier League club

Celtic’s trip to Hibs on Sunday has taken on added importance after another bruising European night at Parkhead.

Martin O’Neill needs a response to Thursday’s 2-1 defeat by Celta Vigo, which left the Hoops without a point in the Europa League.

Mika Baur’s opener briefly raised hopes, but two Javi Rodriguez goals left Celtic facing more uncomfortable questions.

The noon meeting at Easter Road offers a chance to restore confidence and protect their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic have collected 24 points from nine games and sit four clear of Rangers, with last weekend’s 7-1 win over Hearts showing their attacking potential.

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Hibs are bottom on seven points after losing 2-1 at home to Falkirk, but recent history gives O’Neill reason to avoid complacency.

The Edinburgh side have beaten Celtic twice across the clubs’ last 10 meetings, with the champions winning seven and one ending level.

Celtic did win on their most recent visit in May, however, taking the points with a 2-1 victory.

Cameron Carter-Vickers could offer O’Neill a timely boost if he is ready to return from injury.

The defender has resumed training, with assistant Shaun Maloney indicating that he and Alistair Johnston could make Sunday’s squad if their recoveries continue smoothly.

His longer-term future is also attracting attention, with Football Insider‘s Pete O’Rourke reporting that a Premier League opportunity could persuade him to quit Parkhead.

Cameron Carter-Vickers may weigh up Celtic exit if Premier League offer arrives

His report describes Carter-Vickers as happy at Celtic and says he has not been pushing for a departure. However, the prospect of playing in England’s top division is said to appeal, making the summer of 2027 a potential moment to assess his options.

There is no current approach from a Premier League club, so any move would depend on interest becoming concrete.

A January exit is considered unlikely, with O’Neill continuing to view the American as a “key” member of his side.

That leaves Celtic with the prospect of retaining him throughout this season before any serious discussion over what comes next.

Carter-Vickers is contracted until 2029 after signing an extension in January 2024, giving Celtic considerable protection if another club comes calling.

He initially arrived on loan from Tottenham in August 2021, then completing a permanent switch the following June, and he was part of a squad that won the Scottish Premiership and League Cup during his first season in Glasgow.

The city has provided the stability that was missing during his time in north London, when he spent successive spells away on loan.

Those moves included Sheffield United, Ipswich, Swansea, Stoke, Luton and Bournemouth before Celtic became his permanent home.

Now 28, and turning 29 in December, he could still view a Premier League spell as an attractive challenge after establishing himself in Scotland.

For Celtic, replacing his experience would be a significant recruitment task, particularly while O’Neill is trying to improve the team’s defending in Europe.

Their immediate need is to get him fit and contributing again, with the Hibs game followed by Dundee United’s visit on Wednesday.