Cameron Carter-Vickers spoke to Gerry McCulloch pitch-side at Red Star Belgrade’s iconic Rajko Mitić Stadium ahead of the Europa League opener between Red Star Belgrade and Celtic this evening…
Cameron Carter Vickers of Celtic arrives at the stadium prior to the match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“We know it will be a tough game, it’s the opening game in the Group stages of the Europa league so we are looking forward to it,” the Celtic central defender told Gerry McCulloch. “You can see that the pitch looks good and looks like it will play well so we’re looking forward to the game.
“We’re disappointed that we’re not in the Champions League but for us now in this competition we want to do as well as we can in it, CCV said. “It’s always important to get off to a good start in every competition you are apart of so we’re ready to start and to put on a big performance.
Cameron Carter-Vickers wins the header. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“I think it’ll definitely be a tough game. They’re a good side with a lot of quality in the team, so we have to get to our level tomorrow to try and match them and then hopefully go on and win the game,” CCV added.
The United States international made it perfectly clear that the famous atmosphere in the Serbian capital tonight will not be a cause for concern for the Celtic players who are used to the special occasions at a packed Celtic Park, although the likes of Sebastian Tounekti, Kelechi Iheanacho Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Marcelo Saracchi have yet to experience Paradise in full voice.
“Our own stadium has a pretty good atmosphere there so we’re used to that as players. It will be a challenge for us but it’s one we look forward to as a team and it will be good to get out there,” Carter-Vickers noted.
On his own fitness and form CCV said: “I feel good, obviously we go into a little patch now where the games come think and fast so I’m ready and raring to go for that really.”
Cameron Carter-Vickers modelling the brand new Celtic FC x adidas Terrace Icons collection
Meanwhile Liam Scales insisted Celtic won’t be intimidated by the Marakana’s atmosphere as they prepare to face Red Star Belgrade in tonight’s Europa League clash. The centre-back acknowledged he is well aware of the reputation for noise inside the iconic Serbian stadium but stressed his concentration will stay firmly on the game itself.
Liam Scales celebrates. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Scales found the net in Celtic’s 4-0 quarter-final victory over Partick Thistle in the Premier Sports League Cup on Sunday, extending his impressive form so far this season. Buoyed by the team’s growing confidence domestically, he feels their European pedigree after three consecutive seasons in the Champions League will be an asset in what is expected to be a tough test.
The Ireland defender is no stranger to hostile environments, having dealt with intense crowds for both club and country. He doesn’t see that as a concern for Celtic. Speaking via Daily Record, Scales said: “I’ve never played in Belgrade before but I’ve heard it’s a tough place to go and the atmosphere is quite good, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s always good to feel the atmosphere before a game.
Liam Scales of Celtic wins a defensive header in the box during the Scottish Premiership match, theRangers vs Celtic, Ibrox, 31/08/2025. Photo Colin Poultney PSI
“But once we start playing, that all goes out the window and we’re fully focused on what’s happening on the pitch. In terms of the best atmospheres, Probably Dortmund. Feyenoord was up there as well, that was loud. But Dortmund was intense and I do enjoy the noise.”
Scales added: “We were just away in Armenia with the national team and they have a lot of ultras. It’s not a massive stadium, but they were very, very loud as well. For me, once the ball’s in play, it doesn’t really matter whether there’s 70,000 or no one there. You’re so focused on what’s happening in the game. It’s all background noise.”
Liam Scales at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“But when you walk out and you feel the atmosphere, like we do at Celtic Park, it’s nice for the first couple of minutes and then the whistle goes. Experience is brilliant at helping you cope with those sorts of big games. You know you’ve been there before and you know you’re at the level and you can deal with that sort of atmosphere and that level of opposition.”
“It has helped being part of the games in the Champions League and sort of winning big ties in Europe. It’s definitely helped,” Scales said.
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Be good you have a team attack us every game we have played has been teams defending worse parking the bus even in champions league qualifying so I’d judge my team on this game even though away from home against a hostile racist support just hear our supporters were attacked by a large seberian mob FIFA and UEFA dodge it by saying it out side the stadium these racist supporters of a club that allow this and have history while our club and others get fund for passages not kept clear banners grow a pair football bosses
Always believed that the strongest partnership within football is that between keeper and CBs.
For ourselves that’s kasper, CCV and scales.
Not totally convinced at that being our strongest and best available to ourselves at present, despite that looking like Rodgers preferred choice at present.
We haven’t given away many goals admittedly, but certainly expect that to be tested tonight.
Isn’t tested to often in Scottish football usually, but European football is a totally different kettle of fish?
Still don’t believe that such a partnership was strong enough for a CL campaign this season, and be very surprised if it remains intact for the second half of this season also.
An area that a manager generally doesn’t like to make to many changes to, and one that won’t be in operation next season for sure.
The basis of stability within a team can center around such a partnerships in operation, which can impact performance levels hugely within the style of play Rodgers has opted for ourselves.
Hopefully it’s strong enough for ourselves at europa league level now, especially with CCV and kasper not looking as strong as they once did. Scales lack of pace could get exposed and use of the football questionable at times, yet comfortable enough with his defending when backs are against the wall all the same imo.
Big test for that partnership tonight, especially when we don’t operate with a proper defensive midfielder sitting in front of our CBs.
Not the best suited role for calmac, when our style depends upon controlling a game with possession.
Are we strong enough out of possession will be possibly tested to a higher degree tonight, than any other game played this season so far.
With such a potential weakness in operation for ourselves, then it becomes vital that we are more precise and clinical within our own attacking game.
Still believe that we have plenty enough to gain the victory all the same tonight imo?