Ange Postecoglou talks up behind-the-scenes impact of Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers

By David Walton

April 17, 2022

Cameron Carter-Vickers’ importance to the Celtic dressing-room has been highlighted by Ange Postecoglou ahead of their clash against Rangers this afternoon.

Carter-Vickers is currently at Parkhead on a season-long loan move from Tottenham Hotspur. Recent reports have suggested that the Hoops are in talks over a permanent deal with summer that could rise to £10m [Daily Record].

That’s not particularly surprising either. Carter-Vickers has been Celtic’s top centre-back this season and has become an undroppable under Ange. The USA international has made 40 appearances already this term and scored the winner in the last Glasgow derby at Ibrox [Transfermarkt].

But it’s not just on the pitch that CCV’s influence has been felt. Indeed, Ange was keen to highlight his demeanour behind the scenes as he lauded his centre-back. As quoted by the Scottish Sun, the manager said: “Cam’s been great. We got him in on deadline day, so for him to be so consistent, considering he missed all of pre-season, is a real credit to him.

“He’s been a fantastic addition, and he’s also a great person to have in the dressing room. Cameron’s really calm and belies his years in the way he conducts himself. He’s had a great year. From our perspective, signing him, even though he’s not the most experienced in terms of his age, he had a really good few years in the Championship down south.

“I try to go for the low-maintenance ones because it makes my life a bit easier. There aren’t too many who have given me headaches this year. He’s definitely in that camp, but he wants feedback and he works closely with the other coaches on one-to-one feedback. He has an inquisitive mind, so he gives his own opinion about how things are going and what we should be doing. He’s been a good part of the group, not just as a footballer but as a person.”

Cameron Carter-Vickers has become a must-buy summer get for Celtic

If you were to back to around November or December, there was a real clamour for Celtic to sign up Jota from Benfica permanently this summer. CCV, meanwhile, was looked at as a decent option if we could get it done.

Fast forward several months however and now the roles have switched. Sure, it would be great if we could bag Jota in the summer and persuade him to stay for potential Champions League football. However, Carter-Vickers has now become a must-buy player. A figure that gels this backline together and someone who, if he doesn’t return, will be almost impossible to replace.

It’s a task Celtic could really do without this summer. If he’s as big an influence in the dressing-room as Ange makes him out to be? You can’t just buy that type of character.

In addition to that, he’s already settled here. He’s been playing Ange’s style for almost an entire campaign already and understands his teammates. He knows his centre-back partner in Carl Starfelt and has managed to forge a pairing with the Swedish international that has us with the best defence in Scotland.

CCV has a big decision to make this summer. There’s no doubt he’ll be someone in demand with a queue of Premier League clubs likely thinking about making a move. But if Celtic can secure UCL football for next season, it’s almost certain he won’t be able to experience that anywhere else.

All that, of course, is for further down the line. For now, let’s just hope he pockets Kemar Roofe for a 3rd consecutive time at Hampden.

In other news, Greg Taylor shares what Postecoglou’s big message to Celtic players has been this week