Cameron Carter-Vickers reckons the secret of Celtic’s success is down to Ange Postecoglou but admits that the Australian manager is never happy as he always thinks that his team can get better and do more.
And the American International defender is delighted to be working under Postecoglou for the foreseeable future now that he has put pen to paper on his five year contract at Celtic which brings an end to a similar period as a loan player around a selection of clubs such as Sheffield United, Ipswich Town, Swansea, Stoke City, Luton Town, Bournemouth before his final loan deal at Celtic led to finding a permanent base to play his football at Paradise.
There’s no doubt that Cameron’s decision to sign a permanent contract at the club had plenty to do with his relationship with Ange and the respect that he has for him as his manager.
“I think Ange is a great manager. He’s really calm and he’s got a set way of playing that I think all the players enjoy,” Carter-Vickers said from Celtic’s summer training base in Austria, as reported by Scottish Sun. “He’s also pulled the group closer together. All the boys get on really well and that’s a good thing. I think the manager here always wants to improve. He’s never happy.
“He always thinks there is another level we can get to — and that’s what we’re trying to do as a group this season. He has that presence about him. He’s a calm guy, he rarely raises his voice — but he definitely has that presence. When he says things, everybody listens and all the players believe in him.
“We have trust in what he says and follow his ideas.”
Carter-Vickers was away on international duty with USA – indeed he was preparing for a match that evening – when his deal was officially announced. He was happy to talk through the process that saw him opt for Celtic ahead of interest from English Premier League sides.
“To get the deal done early in the window was good. We had a very good season last year, not just me, but the team. I have bonded well with the team and the coaching staff. I really enjoy being here.
“I got on well with the coaches and the players, and I think I improved as a player as well.
“It was a bit difficult to take it all in at the time. I was away with the USA when my deal was announced. We had a game that night and I was trying to focus on that. I saw bits of the fans’ reaction and that was great to see.
“I was linked with a few Premier League clubs — but it was never anything concrete because I was always set from the end of last season that I wanted to sign for Celtic. That is what I wanted to do. It didn’t happen immediately, but it was still done quite quickly and I was delighted.”
Winning the league and with it securing the automatic place in the Group stages of the Champions League is undoubtedly a significant factor in decisions that are being taken to remain at Celtic. Fir instance despite significant interest Josip Juranovic’s camp has made it clear that he has no plans to leave Celtic (for now at least) and he wants to be part of the Champions League campaign. Likewise Carter-Vickers is relishing the prospect of playing at the highest level in club football with Celtic.
“For me, the Champions League is probably the toughest competition that you can play in at club level,” the American international said. “To be part of that and be able to measure yourself up against the best players in the world will be a great experience.
“We all know how tough the Champions League is. But we’ll be there to try and win every game. That’s how the manager will set us up, that’s just his way of doing things.”
Carter-Vickers was also delighted when the Jota deal was confirmed last week and had a lovely wee observation about the Portuguese star’s amazing summer of global travel. Like Jota, he had Celtic fans encouraging him to sign for the club but maybe not to the same extent.
“I had a few supporters asking me. I had a few people early on in the summer, but after that I was away. I was on international duty with the USA, so I didn’t get as many holidays as Jota!”
“It would be good to keep as many players in the squad as we can. We did fairly well last year and we want to build on that this year,” he added.
Now that Paradise is his home, Carter-Vickers reflected on those many loan deals and the benefits he reckons they brought to his game. “Talking about the loans, I sort of enjoyed them. I just got used to it, working under the different managers and styles. I learned a lot playing in different styles of teams.
“But it will be good for me to settle somewhere and Celtic will be a great place for that.”
And talking of Jota, did you see our wonderful tribute to our Superstar from Portugal yesterday from the The Bhard of Paradise?
If not, here it is again…
Jota Juju
(João Filipe – Talisman)
The dazzling smile, the tidal hair;
the killer pace, the blazing flair;
the, “Come on … catch me,
if you can!” :
our will-o’-wisp Iberian.
As Jota Juju, panic sows,
Filipe more iconic grows.
The sudden pulverising spurt
that leaves the hapless eating dirt;
the tricks and guile
on either wing
that unseat bums, make people sing.
As Jota Juju panic sows,
Filipe more iconic grows.
The flashes of breathtaking skill;
our bated breath, orgasmic thrill;
the lightning strikes,
assists precise –
a bargain snip at twice the price.
As Jota Juju panic sows,
Filipe more iconic grows.
Prodigious talent, gifted heir
to lineage beyond compare:
Eusebio …
our ‘Lions’ of fame,
who graced his birthplace, bear its name.
As Jota Juju panic sows,
Filipe more iconic grows.
The turn of speed … the twinkling feet –
of mesmerising moves replete.
Our trump card … locksmith … lucky charm –
totemic, towering Talisman!
Copyright © The Bhard of Paradise, 5 July 2022
Hail, Hail!
JohnT
JohnBhoy
https://25thmay1967.com/
