Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has been rewarded for his fine Celtic form by earning a place in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year. Heading to Celtic Park on the final day of the summer transfer window, the centre-back has been a major hit for Ange Postecoglou's men and has played an integral role in Celtic leading the way in the Scottish Premiership.
Six points ahead of fierce rivals Rangers in the table with four games of the campaign left to play, Carter-Vickers looks on course to add a league title to his CV after already winning the Scottish League Cup with his loan club earlier in the season. If indeed they do end up winning the league title back off Rangers, the 24-year-old's winner in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox at the start of April could prove decisive.
Carter-Vickers has gone from strength to strength at Celtic since heading away from Tottenham on loan for the seventh time, playing the full 90 minutes in his 28 league appearances and making 41 in total for the Scottish giants. His success in the East End of Glasgow could also spell the end of his time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Celtic do have a clause in their deal to make his move permanent, something which does appear to be a no-brainer.
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football.london understands the clause is believed to be £6million, with the fee possibly rising as high as £10million with future add-ons. Celtic will be in the driving seat for his signature, although reports have indicated that some Premier League clubs are also keen on a deal for Carter-Vickers going on his form north of the border.
His role in their title quest, as well as now earning a position in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year, will only help strengthen Daniel Levy and Tottenham's stance when it comes to getting as much money for the player as possible if he is to head elsewhere instead of Celtic Park.
Alan Stubbs has urged his former club Celtic to wrap up a deal for Carter-Vickers, stating that it is a "no-brainer" to sign him. The ex-Everton man has also pointed to the example of Virgil van Dijk and indicated that the Tottenham defender's market value could skyrocket in years to come if he continues to shine for Celtic and is eventually sold.
"In today’s market £6m seems good value. He’s at a good age and the potential is there for his stock to rise even higher," said Stubbs, as reported by the Daily Record. "Celtic have been shrewd with their buying and selling – they made fortunes moving on the likes of Victor Wanyama, Virgil van Dijk and Moussa Dembele – and Cameron’s re-sale value could rocket.
"There are also practical football reasons for making him a Celtic player. He has already shown he fits in at Parkhead and with the manager’s style of play it helps to have a centre-back who can bring the ball out of defence and pose problems for the opposition.
"He’s been a rock for Ange this year. He’s easily been Celtic’s best defender, someone who’s at least a 7/10 every week and often more than that. Put it this way – if they have to buy someone else who’s guaranteed to be as good, it will cost them a fair bit more than £6million!
"No disrespect to Ross County but Celtic should beat them on Sunday and they’d then need to lose three of their last four games NOT to win the title. A home win over Rangers in the next match would confirm it and with the Champions League cash effectively guaranteed then, next season could see Celtic make as much money as they’ve ever made in their history.
"So they should re-invest some of that in the big man. It’s a no-brainer."
Enjoying successful loan moves in his previous two deals with Luton Town and Bournemouth, the United States international is now showing everyone what he is all about after thriving at Celtic. The player certainly deserves the recognition coming his way and he is full value for his place in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.
