CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS’ omission from the USA squad has been explained by new boss Anthony Hudson.
The rock-solid Celtic centre-back, who has been outstanding for the champions this season, was overlooked for the forthcoming CONCACAF Nations League double header against Grenada and El Salvador, as CQN eported yesterday.
Carter-Vickers’ exclusion was obviously a puzzle, especially after his involvement in the World Cup Finals in Qatar in November when he played in his adopted nation’s only success, the 1-0 win over Iran.
BREAKTHROUGH…Cameron Carter-Vickers heads in his first goal of the season – and Celtic’s third in the 3-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle last weekend.
The 25-year-old defender, a £6million recruit from Spurs in the summer after his inital convincing loan spell at Parkhead, had been selected for a few squads by ex-head coach Gregg Berhalter.
The mystery, though, was solved when the US international side roster update put his absence down to a “knee” injury.
Hudson revealed a decision had been reached with the clubs of all the players omitted from the pool to ensure they maintained their current levels of fitness.
No risks were being taken and the new international chief, speaking in a report in the Daily Record, said: “There are a number of guys who are dealing with varying degrees of injury issues.
HIGH AND MIGHTY…Cameron Carter-Vickers rises above Hearts striker Josh Ginnelly to clear a high ball.
“We’ve spoken with the clubs, and in each case we have worked together to make a decision in the best interest of the player and to do our best to ensure they are available for us this summer.”
Carter-Vickers has missed only three of the champions’ 28 league games, one being the 2-0 loss to St Mirren in Paisley in September, the only domestic defeat of the season.
The Southend-born back-four operator, who scored his first goal of the term in the 3-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Hearts at Tynecastle last weekend, will be in his usual place when Hibs visit tomorrow.
