CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS marked his Celtic debut with a rare goal in the 3-0 win over Ross County at Parkhead on Saturday September 11 2021.
The USA international centre-back had joined the club on a season-long loan from Spurs at the eleventh hour of the August transfer deadline and Ange Postecoglou had no hesitation in pitching him in against the Highlanders.
It was the start of something good for Carter-Vickers and the Hoops.
The rugged 25-year-old back-four operator has NEVER been on a losing team in a domestic game in the east end of Glasgow and his only blemish in the league spread over almost two campaigns came a week after the win over Malky Mackay’s side.
I’M IN CHARGE…Cameron Carter-Vickers organises his Celtic defence.
Carter-Vickers was introduced to the dodgy plastic playing surface at Livingston and was on the receiving end of a 1-0 setback, the team’s third reverse in as many away Premiership games in Postecoglou’s debut crusade.
However, the jigsaw very quickly came together after that and the Hoops, with their new central defender missing just one outing – the 1-0 win over Hearts at Parkhead on December 2 – went on a glorious unbeaten sequence to emerge triumphant in the pursuit of the crown for the tenth time in 11 years.
Carter-Vickers also popped in three goals along the way – in the 3-1 away victory over Hibs on October 27, 2-0 home success over St Mirren on March 2 2022 and the points-clincher in the 2-1 triumph at Ibrox on April 3.
NO WAY THROUGH…Cameron Carter-Vickers is in control against Alfredo Morelos.
The no-nonsense Southend-born star – known affectionately to his team-mates as ‘The Fridge’ – sat out the champions’ only Premiership defeat this time around, the 2-0 shocker against St Mirren in Paisley on September 18.
His only two other ‘rest days’ have come in the 2-1 home win over Motherwell on October 1 and the 5-1 success over Stephen Robinson’s Saints at Parkhead on January 18 2023.
Carter-Vickers had loan spells at Stoke City, Luton Town, Ipswich, Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Swansea City before his temporary transfer from London to Glasgow.
The switch became permanent when Postecoglou spent £6million in the summer to get the rearguard ace on a four-year contract.
GOVAN GLEE…Cameron Carter-Vickers races away in delight after firing in the winner at Ibrox in April last year. Team-mate Carl Starfelt is about to join the celebrations.
Carter-Vickers has become a first pick for the manager and has already won three honours – the Premiership and two League Cups – and has his eyes on a second consecutive championship with the team 12 points ahead with seven games to play.
He will almost certainly take his place in the heart of the defence when the Hoops face Kilmarnock in the High Noon showdown at Rugby Park on Sunday and there is also the matter of a Scottsh Cup semi-final against Michael Beale’s Ibrox outfit at Hampden on April 30.
As usual, Carter-Vickers is ready to play his part.
Looks like Postecoglou knows how to pick a winner.
