Last night, as we all know, Cameron Carter Vickers played for the United States against Iran, and he was, not to put too fine a point on it, absolutely excellent.
This is a different player from the one who signed for our club last season.
Carter Vickers’ performance has been hailed not only here in Scotland, by our fans, but by American news media who were hugely impressed by the way he played. This raises his profile hugely.
It has also, as a consequence, raised the profile of Celtic.
As I’ve written before, there is a lot of talk about our club doing a tour in Asia next time around and that makes perfect sense when you consider the number of Japanese players we have in the squad.
This World Cup has also given us a look at the South Korean team, and there are some gems in there and don’t rule out our taking a dip into that market.
But the US and Canada are areas where our thinking should be increasingly focussed. That we’re about to sign a Canadian international only increases the likelihood that we will see those countries on a major trip before very long.
It is a good idea. It’s probably the best thing that we can do in terms of increasing our global footprint at the present time, and we shouldn’t hesitate. We should be planning for it now, all the better to take advantage of the moment.
Asia will be there for us, and a major tour there is inevitable. Carter Vickers was selected specifically because of the way we play – we’re actually influencing the way the US national coach works with his players and that shows you how one player can raise your stock in ways that you would never have expected.
It is time to press that advantage home.
Had a great game, was a wedge peg in that USA defence. Desperate tactics at the end from Iran tho, tryin tae almost coerce the ref intae checkin VAR and award a pen. Never needed VAR tho, nae foul committed, so glad the official stood his ground.