ANY HOPES Cameron Carter-Vickers had of playing in the summer’s World Cup Finals vanished the moment he collapsed at the end of Celtic’s 2-1 Europa League win over Sturm Graz at Parkhead on October 23.
The 28-year-old centre-back had to be helped off the pitch after the final whistle and hasn’t been seen since.
Carter-Vickers has made 19 appearances for his adopted nation USA, but ambitions of performing alongside Hoops team-mate Auston Trusty in the global extravaganza in the summer were obliterated that evening following the victory over the Austrians.
The £6million recruit from Spurs in the summer of 2022 after an impressive season on loan had to undergo surgery on the persistent Achilles problem and it will be next season before Celtic fans get the opportunity to see the defender in action again.
GAME OVER…the unfortunate Cameron Carter-Vickers in distress as his Celtic season comes to a premature end.
Trusty, who is hoping to get the nod from international supremo Mauricio Pochettino for the 26-man squad, is gutted for his partner in the champions’ rearguard.
The towering American, who also cost £6million when he arrived from Sheffield United in August 2024, said: “Obviously, I think he’s sad to be out of the mix.
“I reckon he’s excited for the country. Regardless of the situation, you want football to advance in the country and keep growing and to inspire the next generation.”
While CCV continues his recuperation period and watches from afar, Trusty wants to be in the thick of the action in the USA, Canada and Mexico with his nation due to play Paraguay, Australia and Turkey.
The Pennsylvania-born back-four operator, speaking in the Daily Record, continued: “It would mean everything to me. Every decision I’ve ever made in my career has been to put myself in a position to be in the World Cup.
“When I had the chance to come here, that’s why I took full advantage of it, because the attention I get here, the mindset, the trophies, just being a Celtic player in general can really propel you into the next situation.
SPOT ON…Auston Trusty strokes in a penalty-kick during Celtic’s Scottish Cup quarter-final shoot-out success at Ibrox last month.
“So, that was the real mindset of me coming here, to give myself the best opportunity to play in the national team.
“As a player, you really have to think about this stuff and put yourself in the best position to then go ahead and achieve your goals.
“That’s why coming to Celtic was really the best decision ever for me.”
The 27-year-old left-sided defender added: “I’m just trying to give myself the best opportunity to make the squad and show the world, the United States and the coaching staff that I can be that player for them.
“I feel comfortable at that level. I feel comfortable playing against some of the best players in the entire world, playing in the Champions League, playing in the Premier League.
“I really feel comfortable at that level.”
WE’RE BEHIND YOU…Auston Trusty with the backing of the Celtic fans.
Trusty will turn his focus back to Celtic as they prepare for the must-win Premiership encounter against Hibs at Easter Road in the Sunday High Noon showdown.
The player will be hoping for better luck against the Edinburgh club than he experienced when the sides met at Parkhead on February 22.
Trusty was red-carded after a controversial VAR intervention and Martin O’Neill’s side lost 2-1 after a late breakaway by David Gray’s team.
Time for Trusty to concentrate fully on the next five domestic games before turning his attention to the World Cup which kicks off on June 11.
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