Chris Sutton left stunned as Celtic's Carter-Vickers omitted from POTY shortlist

By David Walton

April 27, 2022

Chris Sutton has been left absolutely baffled after Celtic centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers was left out of the PFA Player of the Year shortlist.

Today, PFA Scotland announced their candidates for the prestigious award with 2 Celts included in the nominees. Both Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic have been recognised for their performances. Craig Gordon of Hearts and Ross County’s Regan Charles-Cook make up the rest of the list.

That means there’s no place for the outstanding Carter-Vickers, who has been Scotland’s best perfoming centre-back all season. And it’s fair to say it’s left Chris Sutton bemused:

CCV, currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, has produced big for Celtic at both ends of the pitch. Having made 41 appearances for the Hoops so far, he’s regularly been seen as the man who’s helped totally shore up the Celtic backline.

Carter-Vickers bagged an important winner at Ibrox just last month, and now has 4 goals for the season in total. But despite his omission, his performances did bag him a place in PFA Scotland’s Team of the Year instead.

Latest reports have claimed that Celtic are in advanced talks with Spurs as they try to complete a permanent deal for the USA international [SBI Soccer].

Carter-Vickers must be scratching his head amid superb Celtic season

It’s difficult to come up with any logical reason for CCV’s omission. Given it’s voted by the players, you would’ve thought his contribution would’ve been recognised.

Then again this wouldn’t be the first time deserving Celtic players will have missed out on a nomination. Look back at the invincible season under Brendan Rodgers. At that stage, the Hoops had 3 nominees whilst Jonny Hayes from Aberdeen was thrown in there.

Even so, CCV should still have been included as one of the Celtic representatives. He has, after all, been performing to a more consistent degree than say Rogic. As good as the Australian has been this term, Carter-Vickers’ effect on the side has been greater.

It all just seems a touch bizarre. Sure, we all have our own opinions on who should be involved. There will no doubt be clubs with no representation on the list who will feel a touch robbed themselves. But from a Celtic perspective, Carter-Vickers simply has to be in there. It’s not even a debate.

Not that the omission will affect him in any real way. The real prize for the centre-back will be securing the league championship and the carrot of UCL football for next season should he decide to stay.

Even if the PFA POTY shortlist doesn’t recognise it, all of the Celtic supporters know just how good he’s been this season.

In other news, Kyogo credits Celtic teammate for keeping him “really motivated” during 3 month injury absence