Football

Celtic midfielder says USA defender has taken his game to ‘another level’

November 11, 2022 2:47 pm
Celtic midfielder says USA defender has taken his game to ‘another level’

USA defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has taken his game to another level, according to Celtic teammate David Turnbull.

As reported by STV, Turnbull believes the centre-back is well worthy of his recent call-up to the USA 2022 World Cup squad.

Carter-Vickers was one of nine defenders named in the USA squad by head coach Gregg Berhalter earlier this week.

The 24-year-old has made 11 appearances for his country. He will be hoping for further caps when the USA take on England, Iran and Wales this winter.

USA defender has taken game to ‘another level’

Carter-Vickers has been a regular for Celtic this season. He has made 17 appearances in all competitions.

His displays have taken place across 12 Scottish Premiership matches, four Champions League games, and one Scottish League Cup fixture.

Moreover, the defender has been wearing the captain’s armband in recent weeks amid the absence of the injured Callum McGregor. And Celtic’s Turnbull believes his teammate has upped his game in recent weeks.

“I’m delighted for him,” said Turnbull. “I thought he would have been picked, he’s been a mainstay in our team and you can see how well he has done.

“Even when he’s had the captain’s armband, he has taken it to another level. He’s been brilliant for us, a rock at the back, and hopefully he can go there and make a good impact.

“Cal has been chipping in with wee bits before and after games, but he’s done brilliant to step in there. It’s not easy to do and he has handled it well.

“Cal is maybe a wee bit more vocal, but sometimes it’s not about that. The way he carries himself on the pitch is an example to everybody else.”

USACarter-Vickers finds permanent home at Celtic

Carter-Vickers’ performances have not gone unnoticed this season. Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has entrusted the USA defender with leading the team both domestically and in Europe.

And his reward for his displays has stretched to the international scene with his World Cup call-up.

It comes after a frustrating time for the defender. He spent six years at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, but made just five appearances in that time.

During the spell, he was sent out on seven different loans. The last of which was at Celtic, with his move made permanent in the summer.

USA defender one of four Celtic World Cup players

USA man Carter-Vickers is one of four Celtic players to have been chosen for their respective nations for the 2022 World Cup. Fellow defender Josip Juranovic has been called-up by Croatia, with midfielder Aaron Mooy selected by Australia.

Finally, attacker Daizen Maeda will be lining up for Japan at the tournament. The Asian nation did, however, ignore Celtic duo Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi.

Despite a strong club season so far for both players, they will not be appearing at the tournament in Qatar.

Other Scottish Premiership players to be included for their respective countries include Hibs winger Martin Boyle (Australia) and Rangers full-back Borna Barisic (Croatia).

Hearts will also be well represented, with trio Nathaniel Atkinson, Cameron Devlin and Kye Rowles all selected for Australia.

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