CELTIC boss Ange Postecoglou has revealed a "personal issue" has kept Cameron Carter-Vickers from featuring against Hearts.
The American defender was a surprise absentee from the squad for tonight's Scottish Premiership clash.
And with no suspension, Carter-Vickers being missing from the squad prompted injury fears among the Celtic support.
But Postecoglou was coy when probed on Carter-Vickers absence.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Postecoglou said: "Just a personal issue so he misses out."
While Carter-Vickers misses out, there were returns for Carl Starfelt and Tom Rogic to the Celtic line-up. The pair had been out through injury.
Postecoglou added: "We've been keen to get Carl back in, he's been training last week and ready to go.
"Pleased to get him and Tommy back."
It comes after reports Celtic have been quoted it will take £10million to sign Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal.
Reports claimed that his asking price was around £6million, but with two separate add-ons that will now rise to double figures.
The American signed a one-year extension on his contract at Tottenham before being shipped north.
Speaking last week on the possibility of staying at Celtic, he said: “It’s something that I’m open to but I haven’t given it much thought at this stage, to be fair.
“I still have plenty of games left in this season and that is my focus. I have really enjoyed it. The staff and the players have been really good with me and that’s helped me.
“It’s still early days but for me personally – and as a team – we’ve got to keep going and keep the consistency.
“For me at the moment, I’m here at Celtic, I’m a Celtic player, so my focus is more on impressing the manager here and trying to get results for Celtic. Anything further than that I haven’t really given much thought to.”
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