THE deal to secure Cameron Carter-Vickers almost failed to materialise with the on-loan defender’s arrival only just beating the deadline. The 23-year old USA international will spend the rest of the season in Glasgow and the club also have an option to make a purchase at the end of the campaign.
Having joined Spurs in his earlier years, the Essex-born star has spent the majority of his time out on loan, although this may be the perfect opportunity to finally lay down some roots. Celtic faced stiff competition for his signature, with Newcastle also believed to be interested in acquiring his services.
The Magpies have struggled to attract players to St. James’ Park this summer, and as third-favourites in the Premier League relegation odds from Betfair, staked at 6/4, the Toon are now expected to face an uphill task to remain in the top flight. Carter-Vickers is likely to relish the chance to test himself in the Scottish Premiership as opposed to scrapping for Premier League survival, and it appears as though he may have made the right move in order to take his career to the next level.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Cameron Carter-Vickers is congratulated by Adam Montgomery after his goal against Ross County.
The Lilywhites opened the 2021-22 campaign with three consecutive clean sheets and their recent defensive solidity has seen them feature regularly in Betfair’s Premier League Tips. Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was a keen admirer of the defender, however, he slipped down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, and current boss Nuno Espirito Santo appears to be relatively satisfied with his team’s defensive depth. With Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier seemingly forging a solid relationship at the heart of the Spurs defence, Carter-Vickers was always going to find it difficult to break into the starting XI.
Nevertheless, he did feature in the club’s UEFA Europa League Conference League qualifier against Pacos de Ferreira, however, he limped off with an injury in the second half.
🗣️ “I spoke to Joe Hart before I came up here and he said the atmosphere is unbelievable, he said it’s one of the best atmospheres he’s ever seen, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.” 🍀
More for Cameron Carter-Vickers below ⬇️
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 3, 2021
Style of Play
Despite his lack of experience, Carter-Vickers is renowned for his calmness both in and out of possession. Back in 2017, Sheffield United journalist Adam May described him as ‘assured beyond his years’, and he’ll be expected to add some much-needed steel to the Celtic back-line. Although he’s expected to slot into the heart of the Bhoys defence, he’s also able to operate on either flank of a back three.
The 23-year old is able to bring the ball out of defence and completed 84% of his passes whilst on loan at Bournemouth last season. He proved to be exceptionally popular with Cherries fans, and although he wasn’t able to help them return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, he played a key role at the Vitality.
Centerback Cameron Carter-Vickers (22) has joined AFC Bournemouth on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur with a recall option in January. pic.twitter.com/CZNQylrhhM
— USMNT Watch (@USMNT_Watch) October 16, 2020
He was successful in 22 of his 24 attempted tackles last year and he rarely rushes into challenges. He committed just 14 fouls in over 2000 minutes of frenetic second-tier football and avoided going into the referee’s notebook despite making 23 appearances for the south coast club.
With the club aiming to play a free-flowing style of football under Ange Postecoglou, Carter-Vickers’ ability to cover ground and deal with the potential threat of a counter-attack will prove incredibly useful this season. He isn’t blessed with a natural pace, however, his ability to read the game means that he is rarely caught out of position.
UP IN THE AIR…Cameron Carter-Vickers (third left) watches his shot fly towards the top of the Ross County net.
The USA international is known for being reasonably vocal and will not be afraid to help organise the Celtic defence this season. Defeats to Hearts, Rangers and AZ Alkmaar show that Postecoglu’s outfit remains a work in progress, however, they appear to have added some genuine quality in central defence and Carter-Vickers could prove to be an extremely savvy addition.
He is never going to be famous for the goals he scores, but he did celebrate a strike during Saturday’s debut 3-0 win over Ross County at Parkhead. With the game scoreless after the hour mark, he pushed up with the attack to accept a crossfield pass from Adam Montgomery and took a couple of touches as he advanced into enemy territy before unleashing a 25-yard drive at goal.
It took a nick off a defender as the ball looped over the head of helpless keeper Ross Laidlaw into the roof of the net. Not a bad way to take a bow in front of almost 60,000 fans in the east end of Glasgow.
