Brendan Rodgers' Celtic are in Portugal as the club ramp up their pre-season activity.

The Scottish champions were treated to a most welcome sight when defender Cameron Carter-Vickers was included in the travelling party.

The USA stopper has been sidelined since he had knee surgery immediately after Celtic's 1-0 victory over Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park in April.

Carter-Vickers looks to be well ahead of schedule in his recovery with a possible earlier return to competitive action being pencilled in.

It was originally thought that the 25-year-old would not be available for first-team action until the end of August.

However, the centre-back is now aiming to start his comeback in the first league fixture against Ross County.

Celtic will host the Staggies in the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership curtain raiser Saturday, August 5.

An opening-day return for Carter-Vickers would be a huge boost for Northern Irishman Rodgers.

Rodgers admitted that he would be putting his players through a 'punishing schedule in the Algarve with Carter-Vickers expected to be back in light training at some point this week.

READ MORE: Carter-Vickers Celtic planned injury return timeline revealed

Meanwhile, Jota has shared an emotional farewell message to the Celtic supporters after his transfer to Saudi Arabia last week.

The Portuguese winger, 24, sealed a money-spinning transfer to Al-Ittihad last week with Celtic netting in the region of £25million in the transfer with Benfica due to a cut through a sell-on clause.

After official confirmation from Al-Ittihad of the move, Celtic released a short statement and accompanying video of Jota during his time in Scotland.

Jota took to the social media site Instagram to deliver an emotional message to the Celtic supporters, players and staff.

Jota said: "There is this mystical fog flowing around Celtic Park that induces you to this sense of football edge.

"This football heritage gave us unforgettable moments. And you can't just explain it, you need to feel it, you need to respect it.

"I'm such a lucky man to have lived two years of full excitement and getting to evolve as a football player and as a person.

"To the players, to the staff and for all of the involved departments, a big thank you from me. You guys made me better.

"To the fans, and I always say this, you guys found a way of loving me more than my previous girlfriends. And I guarantee you that, we were crazy in love.

"For what matters, I think I have loved you more than them so believe me, I'll love you for life.

"Today, I become another fan, the ones that live and make the club. Forever yours."

Join Tony Haggerty and Ryan McGinlay in the video below as they discuss all the latest Celtic news.