Off the pitch they’re like chalk and cheese. But on it? Cameron Carter-Vickers reckons Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel are two peas in a pod.
When the English keeper retired at the end of the season, it left a huge void at Celtic Park. Only a top quality goalie was going to fill it and Carter-Vickers believes the great Dane has already pulled that off. The Hoops defender enjoyed playing with Hart for three years in Glasgow after they both arrived at Celtic in 2021. But the USA international is now thriving with Schmeichel at his back.
While he and Hart might have different personalities, CCV believes the pair of keepers are equally as good. In fact, Carter-Vickers says Schmeichel’s distribution might even have added an extra dimension to Celtic’s play. On Tuesday night, they’ll have to be at their best – along with the rest of Brendan Rodgers’ side – to get the better of Club Brugge in the Champions League.
If Carter-Vickers and Schmeichel excel, the likelihood is Celtic will get another positive result in Europe. The 26-year-old centre-back knew Hart would be a loss. But he’s adamant that Schmeichel, whose passing ability has been as eye-catching as some of his saves, has filled Hart’s boots seamlessly at Parkhead.
Ahead of the vital European tie, Carter-Vickers said: “Joe and Kasper are different. There’re two different people, different characters off the pitch. But on it, they’re pretty similar. They’re keepers who have played at the top level throughout their careers and have a lot of experience.
“They are both very vocal on the pitch and really commanding. So they’re also similar in that respect too. With Kasper, I definitely feel if a team gets past us, he’ll save it. He’s shown this season that he can make big saves when he needs to. So there’s definitely a confidence within us that even if the opposition gets a chance, there’s every chance of him stopping them. And his distribution is really good. That’s probably one of the first things we noticed when he came in – how good he is with his feet. You see it in every game.
“The more time you can have with the ball, it limits the time they get on it and the chances they can create. That’s so important in the Champions League. It helps us work our way up the pitch and it starts with Kasper.
“With top keepers now, it’s not just about playing passes, it’s the ability to see them. The way Kasper does that is super-impressive. He might have two or three players running at him but he gets the right angle and sees the right pass to play. He does that in most games for us.”
Every good team is often only as good as its spine. With Schmeichel behind them and skipper Callum McGregor in front, Carter-Vickers and new defensive partner Auston Trusty make up Celtic’s core.
The American duo are developing their relationship at the back for their club but, incredibly, have never been paired together for their country. Carter-Vickers hopes that will change in the future, especially if national team coach Mauricio Pochettino is watching Celts’ Champions League progress.
He said: “The partnership with Auston is developing well. I’ve always said defensive partnerships take time. It’s the only way you learn how each of you moves on the pitch in certain situations. But so far Auston has been really good. He’s definitely playing well and you can see the strength he has.
“We haven’t played together for America, not for the first team. Maybe once or twice at U20 level but not for the senior team. Hopefully the USA coach is looking at us playing in the Champions League for Celtic and thinks we can do the same at international level.
“It’s something I don’t think about too much but all we both can do is perform well for Celtic. If the USA coach thinks like that, great. Auston has fitted into the group well. He’s got quite a big character and the team as a whole is very welcoming.”
Carter-Vickers doesn’t like to admit it but he looks comfortable performing on the Champions League stage. It’s a far cry from loan spells at the likes of Luton Town and Swansea, while he was a Spurs player trying to make his way in the game.
Now, he feels as good as he’s ever done in his career so far. But he says neither he, nor Celtic, will ever get complacent – especially against Europe’s best.
He said: “Myself and the team certainly don’t look at ourselves as being favourites for Wednesday night. Because we know that in every game in this competition, you have to be right at it to get a result.
“I don’t like to use the word ‘belong’. That’s a weird thing to say. But I do feel like I can compete in the Champions League and I feel confident when we play good teams that if I give my best it will be enough. Back when I was on loan at clubs, I never thought this far ahead.
“I was just doing what I could to perform. But now that I’m here, I look forward to these types of nights – I want to be involved in them. “Am I playing the best football of my career? I’m not sure, it’s hard to say or judge.
“I feel good. I’ve had a few good seasons here so it’s hard to pick out a moment in time. But I definitely feel good right now.”