Cameron Carter Vickers faces Celtic fitness race for Premiership kick off as Brendan Rodgers offers key injury update

Brendan Rodgers feels right back at home as he aims to prove himself all over again as Celtic boss.

The manager was given a rousing reception from supporters as he returned for the first home game of his second spell in James Forrest ’s Testimonial. Rodgers was able to enjoy a win as a strong performance from his second-half side secured a 3-2 success over Athletic Bilbao. The boss savoured the welcome and, despite seven trophies out of seven the first time around, insists he needs to show his worth once more.

Asked how it felt to be back and the welcome, Rodgers said: “Clearly it always means a lot. Amazing, it feels like home. I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to manage some fantastic, big clubs. There’s nothing given me the feeling of being back here with people I regard as family and just being in the arena here. I want to relish every second of it. Going away made me realise what I had, I was never sure if I would have that again.

“So, to be able to have it again I want to enjoy it on the pitch with the players, the staff and obviously the supporters. But for that I need to prove myself and win again.

“My priority is to make a team here to continue with the standards that have been set over the last decade or so. It’s important that we are all together in order to achieve that.

“The Celtic supporters are amazing. They support their team and I think what makes this team is that they get behind their manager and we all go together from the weekend to push on. It is very important for us to be together.”

Rodgers believes his team are ready for Saturday’s Premiership opener against Ross County. Reo Hatate scored in the first-half, but Celtic still trailed until the post-interval side improved things markedly with Alexandro Bernabei and David Turnbull sealing a fightback success.

Rodgers was also boosted by the return of defender Cameron Carter-Vickers after three months out following knee surgery and said: “We have to analyse that over the next couple of days, but it was great to have him back. He is a very important player for us. Tony Ralston as well, coming back. We’ve built it up really well. Come Saturday when it matters we’ll be ready for sure.”

Maik Nawrocki, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Yang Hyun-Jun and Norwegian Odin Thiago Holm all made home debuts.

The latter duo were impressive during a second-half which pleased Rodgers much more than the opening 45 minutes and offered him food for thought over selections for the weekend. He said: “Even in a testimonial game, if you give the ball away, you’ll know about it. But that’s being at a big club. They’ll have had a taste of it.

“Odin was excellent, his comfort on the ball and his ability. He combined really well. Yang was direct and promising. It’s the first taste for these guys and they’ll only get better.

“The second-half team was excellent. Our positioning was good. In the first-half we were running all over the place and playing on our own. That’s not what my teams are about.

“Second half I thought the team was excellent. The midfield three were outstanding in terms of Odin, Matt O’Riley and David Turnbull. Overall I was really pleased for James. To win the game is nice for him. The second team was excellent.”

Forrest admitted he was nervous in the days leading into the match, but said: “I’m just delighted the way the night went. When I came off we were 2-1 down but the second half team did really well. Everything about the night I really enjoyed. It’s all I’ve known being at Celtic. I’ve loved every minute of it, it’s the place to be.”