Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers’ lucky escape over the international break

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Despite the negative noise around Celtic in recent weeks, one huge positive is how the defence has started the new campaign.

Yes, there are a few boring goalless draws in there, but Celtic haven’t looked like conceding, and Cameron Carter-Vickers has played a huge part.

The former Tottenham defender has been partnered alongside Liam Scales during the opening weeks, as Celtic are yet to concede in the Premiership.

Carter-Vickers would have had his feet up over the September international break, and he can count his lucky stars that he wasn’t selected for USMNT (United States men’s national soccer team) duty.

• READ MORE: Who is Cameron Carter-Vickers? Get to know Celtic’s immovable American centre-back

Cameron Carter-Vickers avoids USMNT horror show

The United States of America will co-host the 2026 World Cup, along with Mexico and Canada, so there is a lot of pressure on their shoulders.

But life isn’t panning out as they would like, including the USMNT suffering a 2-0 defeat to South Korea in a friendly encounter over the weekend, and that’s after losing the Concacaf final to Mexico during the summer.

Added to that, over the last 12 months, the USMNT have suffered shock defeats to Panama, been thumped by Switzerland and failed to beat New Zealand.

So, with Carter-Vickers not being selected for national duty, he should consider himself lucky given the verbal pelters that are coming the team’s way, as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Mauricio Pochettino is under fire as Carter-Vickers is snubbed again

Remember, Pochettino opted against selecting Carter-Vickers in the summer, for purely selection reasons, as the Celtic defender has only played 90 minutes under the former Tottenham and PSG boss.

It’s not ideal preparation for Pochettino, especially with the World Cup around the corner, and he is having to come out and verbally fight the critics.

There are still a few international breaks on the calendar before everyone gathers for sport’s greatest ever show next summer.

And given the troubles facing the USMNT, Carter-Vickers will be hoping that he is surely in line for a chance of making a return to the national team.