Chris Sutton ridicules prospect of Cameron Carter-Vickers joining Newcastle over Celtic

By David Walton

May 19, 2022

Chris Sutton has rubbished the logic behind Cameron Carter-Vickers joining Newcastle United over Celtic this summer.

CCV’s loan spell in Glasgow has come to an end after a stunning campaign in which he became the club’s first-choice centre-back en route to winning a league and cup double. Carter-Vickers played 45 times for the Hoops and became a stalwart both domestically and in Europe [Transfermarkt].

However, whilst Celtic have an option-to-buy clause in the loan agreement, it may not be as simplistic as just activating it. Indeed, a host of EPL clubs have been linked with a move for the defender. The likes of Newcastle, Southampton, and Fulham have all been mooted with an interest [SBI Soccer].

But Sutton, speaking on the Record Celtic podcast, questioned why CCV would bother moving to a club like the Magpies over guaranteed UCL football at Parkhead:

“The fact that Champions League football is there – what an incentive. If I’m Carter-Vickers and I get the opportunity to go to Newcastle for example. Why would I want to go to Newcastle? Other than for the money.

“Newcastle have been brilliant under Eddie Howe – absolutely outstanding. But Carter-Vickers – the opportunity to play Champions League football. That’s where you want to be. They don’t have the qualifiers, so that’s a massive deal and a massive incentive?

“Why not go and challenge yourself?”.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has plenty of time to challenge himself in a top league

Carter-Vickers’ next decision is going to be a big one. At 24, it’s fair to say the next contract he signs will indicate whether he makes something substantial of his career or fades into obscurity.

At Celtic, there’s absolutely no chance of him doing the latter. Not with Ange Postecoglou almost certainly sticking by him and playing him against Europe’s best if he does stay.

Yes, the argument for a move to an EPL is just that – that they’re an EPL club. The prospect of playing in one of Europe’s top 5 leagues would easily be appealing to just about any footballer. But there’s plenty of time for CCV to do that.

If he moved to a Newcastle, for example, would he be guaranteed minutes next season? With the money they have, chances are they would strengthen further and CCV would be left playing back-up. He’s already tasted EPL benches with Tottenham Hotspur and it shouldn’t be something he’s itching to go back to.

He’s also set to link up with the USA squad for the first time in 3 years. That’s come on the back of what he’s achieved for Celtic. So that’s confirmation that he can also reach his international ambitions by remaining in Scotland for now.

Hopefully, he does indeed choose to remain at Parkhead. If all parties want this over the line, there’s no reason for the deal to be problematic.

In other news, Confirmed: Celtic talent Stephen Welsh called up for must-win Scotland U21 games