Sebastian Soto has told Cameron Carter-Vickers to ‘keep working’ as his strong form with Celtic could return his first United States cap since 2019, via quotes by the Glasgow Times.
The Livingston striker feels anything is possible for Carter-Vickers ahead of the World Cup in Qatar after impressing at Parkhead. Ange Postecoglou signed the defender on loan last summer, and has kept the 24-year-old as a mainstay of his side in Scotland ever since.
Carter-Vickers has so far amassed 38 appearances across all competitions with the Hoops since joining from Tottenham Hotspur. He has also only missed four fixtures, while playing the full 90 minutes in all but one outing to date, scoring four goals and creating one other.
Postecoglou has revelled in Carter-Vickers’ Premiership performances to see Celtic register the division’s best defensive record, too. The Bhoys have shipped just 19 goals in 32 games – eight less than any other side – with the Spurs loanee helping to 14 clean sheets, as well.
Soto now believes Carter-Vickers is putting himself back in line for the United States squad ahead of the World Cup. The Southend-born enforcer has made eight appearances for the USMNT since debuting in 2017, but he has not featured under Gregg Berhalter since 2019.
Carter-Vickers told to ‘keep working’ at Celtic to earn first USA cap since 2019
Berhalter has only included Carter-Vickers in one United States squad since replacing Dave Sarachan as the head coach in 2018. He also only afforded the defender 18 minutes during a friendly with Jamaica for his sole appearance across the USMNT boss’ tenure in charge.
Soto has likewise seldom represented his country under Berhalter, who handed the striker his debut in 2020. Yet despite scoring twice off the bench against Panama and making their following squad, the Livingston star has not made any of the United States’ sides since.
The California native believes a recall for himself and Carter-Vickers cannot be ruled out, though. Soto feels Berhalter has shown he is willing to give new players a chance to prove themselves of late. So, he and Carter-Vickers just need to keep doing what they are doing.
“That’s the thing about football,” Soto mused. “You even had guys going to qualifying you didn’t expect to, and things can change in a matter of weeks. Cam has played really well for Celtic and it’s not a surprise.
“For me and the rest of the boys, we have to just keep our head down and keep working. You never know what might happen.”
Carter-Vickers forcing his way into Berhalter’s USMNT side could see the Celtic centre-half face Scotland at the World Cup. Fifa drew the Tartan Army with the United States, Iran and England – if they beat Ukraine and then Wales in the UEFA Path A play-off road to Qatar.
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