Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic’s quest of advancing past the UEFA Champions League playoffs will have to go through Kazakhstani club Kairat Almaty.
Carter-Vickers should be well rested as Celtic faces Kairat in Glasgow on Wednesday in the first leg of their two-legged playoff series. The veteran defender did not feature in a 4-1 League Cup victory over Falkirk on Friday, receiving the night off from manager Brendan Rodgers. Carter-Vickers remains a key leader in the squad again this season and will need to avoid any spells on the sidelines if Celtic wants to run the table domestically and advance to the UCL league phase.
Should Carter-Vickers not be available, fellow American centerback Auston Trusty could get the nod alongside Liam Scales in defense. Trusty is coming off his first start of the season and did see plenty of European playing time last campaign.
Elsewhere in Europe, Dante Polvara and Aberdeen begin their two-legged Europa League playoff series against FCSB. Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos and Chris Richards are also in European action.
In England, Lynden Gooch and Huddersfield Town host Doncaster Rovers in League One play.
In Finland, Benji Michel and HJK seek to reach the Finnish Cup Final.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
Champions League Qualifying
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Celtic host Kairat Almaty on Wednesday.
Josh Wynder and Benfica visit Fenerbahce on Wednesday.
Europa League Qualifying
Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos host Samsunspor on Thursday.
Dante Polvara and Aberdeen host FCSB on Thursday.
Conference League Qualifying
Chris Richards and Crystal Palace host Fredrikstad on Thursday.
Lennard Maloney and Mainz visit Rosenborg on Thursday.
Konrad De La Fuente and Lausanne host Besiktas on Thursday.
Gavin Beavers and Brondby visit Strasbourg on Thursday.
England
League One
Lynden Gooch and Huddersfield Town host Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday.
National League
Aidan Dausch and Forest Green Rovers host Sutton United on Wednesday.
Finland
Cup Semifinal
Benji Michel and HJK host AC Oulu on Thursday.