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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Cameron Carter Vickers Celtic hype forgotten in brutal US media verdict as Rangers loanee named World Cup alternative

Celtic fans are desperate to see Cameron Carter-Vickers back at Parkhead next season.

The Tottenham defender spent the season on loan at Celtic Park, and lifted the Premiership title and Premier Sports Cup during an impressive campaign.

However, he hasn't impressed the American press during his time with the national side.

And a scathing report released on the official Major League Soccer website has named Rangers loanee James Sands as a more suitable candidate for the World Cup squad.

USA boss Gregg Berhalter handed the defender a call up with a packed fixture list for the international side.

Carter-Vickers earned his first cap in three years during the friendly clash with Morocco after his displays for Celtic. He failed to make an appearance during the goalless draw with Uruguay.

The defender will hope to make a case for a place at Qatar 2022 with two Nations League double header against Granada and El Salvador before the end of the international break.

But some pundits have already written him off.

James Sands (SNS Group)

When compared to defensive partner Aaron Long, the MLS report states: "Carter-Vickers does a lot of good stuff when the ball’s on the ground, but he’s not Long’s equal in the air, and that matters.

"Here are two clips from CCV’s 45 minutes against Morocco. The first is a header Long wins, and the second is a header that Carter-Vickers completely whiffs on.

"Misjudging the cross to allow Tarik Tissoudali a free look speaks for itself, but that first clip is important as well.

"Carter-Vickers has never really shown the ability to muscle a centre forward and win a long clearance like that for the US, and has struggled to do it for his club at higher levels. His weakness in the air is the reason he plays in Scotland rather than England, full stop."

it is then claimed that utility man Sands, who has struggled to make any impact at Rangers following his move from New York City FC in January, should make the cut.

The report continued: "One thing I will say is that if there needs to be a fifth centre back – and there should be if rosters are expanded to 26 – it should be James Sands because of his versatility.

"He’d slot into the depth chart as a fifth centre back as well as a third mid and a third right back"

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