CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS will make his eighteenth successive Celtic appearance against Hearts in the crucial Premiership encounter at Parkhead tomorrow night.
The on-loan Spurs US international centre-back has become a mainstay in Ange Postecoglou’s defensive set-up and even had the luxury of kicking off his Hoops career with a debut goal in the 3-0 win over Ross County on September 11.
However, former record signing Alan Stubbs, the classy rearguard operator who cost £4million when Tommy Burns signed him from Bolton in 1996, insists it is too early to talk about making the England-born player a permanent fixture at the club.
Reports from across the border claim the London club have add-ons in any proposed deal that could take a transfer figure to the £10million mark although that does seem excessive.
UP IN THE AIR…Cameron Carter-Vickers heads clear from Motherwell’s ex-Celtic striker Tony Watt.
The former Hibs, Rotherham and St Mirren boss, who won two titles and three Cups in five years in Glasgow before moving to boyhood favourites Everton, admits he has been impressed by the way the new Bhoy has settled into Postecgolou’s new-look Celts.
Stubbs said: “I like what I’ve seen from Cameron Carter-Vickers.
“It’s never easy to come into a new back four. But in a way it has helped him a little bit because he has become one of the experienced ones even though he’s just 23.
“He’s had Anthony Ralston on his right-hand side and Stephen Welsh a few times on the other. He’s really had to take responsibility.
“When I came up we had Tommy Boyd, John Hughes, Malky Mackay, Tosh McKinlay and it was a settled defence.
“That was massive because there was a lot of pressure with the record signing and everything that goes with it.
“The fee does put a focus on you even though you have no control over what a club wants to pay.
LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BHOYS…Cameron Carter-Vickers applauds the Celtic fans.
“Fans can be judgmental and very quickly make their minds up on whether it’s money well spent.
“You just have to block it out and concentrate on your game.
“You want defenders to be reliable. To do the right things at the right times. When they are involved in the game then they comfortably deal with the situation.
“Carter-Vickers has done that so far.”
Stubbs, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “But it’s still too early to be talking transfer fees and whether Celtic should splash out the figures mentioned.
“I’d rather wait and see how he progresses before deciding on his value. And I’m sure Celtic are exactly the same.
“He’s only been here a few months and if you’re spending that kind of money you need to base it on a full season.
“Celtic have that option, they don’t need to rush. If he continues to impress then it will be a decision for towards the end of the season.
ON THE RUN…Cameron Carter-Vickers strides forward in the 4-2 win over Dundee at Dens Park.
“Remember he’s only 23 and it’s all part of a learning curve. A centre back doesn’t hit his peak until 29-30 when they have a full understanding of the game so he still has plenty of growth in him.
“He has good pace that can get him out of trouble if needs be. He is comfortable on the ball. While not the biggest, he looks powerful, so physically it’s not a problem.
“In terms of the style Celtic are playing, he’s grown up with that at Tottenham. Although he’s spent a lot of time on loan he’s been in and around Spurs for a long time and developed in a style that’s all about playing out from the back.
“So that was probably the easiest thing for him to adapt to.”
Stubbs added: “Christopher Jullien is still to come back in and that gives the option of playing a back three which would be interesting.
“You have to remember a lot of scrutiny last year was on the Celtic defence and there’s still room for improvement especially at set-pieces.
“But in terms of general play and open play they have got better defensively with Carter-Vickers playing a key part of that.”
