Cameron Carter-Vickers says is he open to the possibility of making his temporary switch from Tottenham to Celtic permanent come the summer. Carter-Vickers, who has played consistently at centre-back since his arrival from North London is emerging as a lynchpin of this new-look Hoops side under Ange Postecoglou.
The USA international has had various spells on-loan away from his parent club, with his most recent before Celtic being Bournemouth in the English Championship last season. Apparently Celtic have the option to buy clause already inserted in the deal, which means should the big defender fancy a bit more of Paradise he can seal a switch permanently to Glasgow’s East End.
On the idea of signing up for the long-haul, he said: “It’s something that I’m open to but I haven’t given it much thought at this stage, to be fair,” the big defender said at yesterday pre-match Media Conference. I still have plenty of games left in this season and that is my focus. I have really enjoyed it. The staff and the players have been really good with me and that’s helped me.
“It’s still early days but for me personally – and as a team – we’ve got to keep going and keep the consistency. For me at the moment, I’m here at Celtic, I’m a Celtic player, so my focus is more on impressing the manager here and trying to get results for Celtic. Anything further than that I haven’t really given much thought to.
“I feel like I have adapted to the Scottish Premiership. That is partly down to the coaches and the players here making me feel so welcome from the beginning. The coach has put in a system that is easy to adapt to and play in. That’s helpful. Last season I was at Bournemouth and we got to the play-offs in the Championship. The year before that I was at Luton. When I went there in January we were at the bottom and we managed to stay up. So I have had a few good ones and a few where I’ve learned something but this is definitely one where I’m learning a lot. I’m enjoying my football.”
It’s undeniable that Cameron has had a largely positive impact at the heart of the Celtic rearguard this season. He has added some much needed steel and physicality to a Celtic backline that was floundering with a lack of power and experience. Sure it has taken him a while to settle next to his defensive teammates and a new goalkeeper, but there a major signs that we are emerging from early season transgressions into a solid enough outfit at the back, certainly by SPFL standards at least. We will find out tonight if we can build upon this domestic success against a high end opposition in Leverkusen. Hopefully Cameron can help thwart the German team in their endeavours to qualify with a game to go in the group and keep our knockout stage hopes in our own hands.
Paul Gillespie
