Cameron Carter-Vickers may have had offers from English Premier League clubs, but after spending a year on loan with Celtic, the centre half who had an outstanding season partnering Carl Starfelt at the heart of the best defence in the Scottish Premiership, only had one final destination in mind and that was a return to Paradise on a permanent contract.
As reported by the Daily Record Carter-Vickers admits the deal may not have been completed immediately but it was done speedily and he was simply delighted to get it over the line.
“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’s what I wanted to do. It didn’t happen immediately but it was still done quite quickly and I was delighted. It was important for me to finally get away from Tottenham.
“I think I kind of knew Tottenham’s stance before the end of the season. I didn’t really have to go back in the summer and speak to them. So it was quite simple if the clubs could agree a fee. To get the deal done early in the window was good.”
A successful season during his loan spell from Spurs certainly would have helped Carter-Vickers make his decision to sign on with Celtic on a permanent basis, but the defender also highlighted bonding with both his new teammates as a League Cup and Scottish Premiership double was secured was also an important factor, alongside a respect for a coaching team, he feels helped improve him as a player last season. And that alongside the tantalising prospect of Champions’ League Group stage football returning to Celtic Park, helped make up Carter-Vickers that Celtic was the perfect place to progress his career.
“We’d a very good season last year, not just me, the team. I’ve bonded well with the team and the coaching staff. I enjoy being here. I got on well with the coaches and players and I think I improved as a player as well.
“The Champions League is probably the toughest competition you can play in at club level. To be a part of that and to measure yourself up against the best players in the world will be good.
“We’ll be there to try to win every game. That’s how the manager will set us up, that’s his way of doing things.”
Carter-Vickers, prior to signing on at Celtic, had a nomadic time of it, as parent club Spurs loaned him out an incredible seven times during his time with the north London club. And as much as Carter-Vickers enjoyed learning from different bosses and their varying styles of play, he’s more than ready to settle down now, and feels Celtic is the ideal place to do so, especially given the player has international aspirations and a World Cup on the horizon with the USA –
“I sort of enjoyed it. I got used to it, working under different managers and styles. I learned a lot playing in different styles of teams. It will be good for me to settle somewhere and Celtic will be a great place for that.”
“100 per cent. Every player wants to be part of a World Cup. That’s got to be my aim, to keep working hard and keep working to be part of the squad.
“Yeah it could be big. With international football I’ve just got to focus on doing well at Celtic and building upon what we did last year. Hopefully the stuff on top will then come.”
Cameron Carter-Vickers last minute signing in the summer transfer window of 2021 was a pivotal moment for Celtic. Without him it was unlikely Celtic had time to sign any other defensive options at the time, yet had that deal not gone through, such was Carter-Vickers importance to Celtic’s league campaign, it is far from a stretch to suggest the league title may not have made its way to Celtic Park – indeed outstanding defensive performances aside, even that goal at Ibrox as Celtic came from behind to beat theRangers was one of the key sliding doors moments in a season of many.
As such to have Cameron Carter-Vickers secured on a long-term deal with Celtic is a very reassuring feeling, as Celtic head into a season looking to defend our title and make an impression at European football’s top table.
It’s also reassuring to know that despite alternative offers Celtic was the players first choice when it came to at last putting down some footballing roots.
Niall J
