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“Joe and Kasper are different, there’re two different people, different characters off the pitch”- Carter-Vickers Reveals One ‘Weird’ word he won’t use as he explains how Schmeichel and Hart are alike at Celtic
Off the pitch, Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel are like chalk and cheese, but on the field, Cameron Carter-Vickers sees them as strikingly similar. When Hart retired at the end of the season, Celtic needed a top-quality replacement, and Carter-Vickers believes Schmeichel has stepped in seamlessly. The two defenders played together for three years, but now Carter-Vickers is thriving alongside Schmeichel, whose impact extends beyond his saves to his impressive distribution.
While the two goalkeepers have different personalities, Carter-Vickers sees them as equals in terms of ability. He believes Schmeichel’s passing has added a new dimension to Celtic’s play, especially in high-stakes matches like their upcoming Champions League clash with Club Brugge. The 26-year-old defender is confident that, with Schmeichel’s leadership and skill, Celtic can secure another positive result in Europe.
Carter-Vickers explained, “Joe and Kasper are different off the pitch, but on it, they’re very similar. Both have played at the highest level and are incredibly experienced. They’re vocal and commanding, and when the opposition gets past us, I know Kasper will make the save. His distribution is top-notch, and he’s always looking for the right pass, even under pressure.”
The American defender also emphasized the importance of good ball retention in the Champions League, noting that Schmeichel’s ability to pick the right pass and help Celtic move up the pitch is crucial. He’s been impressed with how Schmeichel reads the game, even with opponents charging at him, and how he consistently makes the right decisions with the ball.
Carter-Vickers also highlighted the importance of the team’s spine, with Schmeichel behind and captain Callum McGregor in front. He and new defensive partner Auston Trusty are still developing their partnership, both for Celtic and for the USA national team. Although they’ve never been paired together for the senior national team, Carter-Vickers hopes their performances in the Champions League will catch the eye of USA coach Mauricio Pochettino.
He added, “Our partnership is growing well. Defensive partnerships take time to develop, but Auston has been great. Hopefully, the USA coach is watching our Champions League games for Celtic and sees us as a future pairing for the national team. All we can do is perform well for Celtic, and if that leads to international recognition, that’s great.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Carter-Vickers admitted that playing in the Champions League feels far removed from his early loan spells at Luton Town and Swansea while at Spurs. He now feels as confident as he’s ever been in his career but remains focused and determined, knowing that in the Champions League, complacency is never an option.
Carter-Vickers said, “We don’t see ourselves as favorites in any game in this competition because you have to be at your best to get a result. I don’t like to say I ‘belong’ in the Champions League, but I do feel I can compete at this level. If I give my best, I know it will be enough. Back when I was on loan, I never looked this far ahead—I was just focused on performing. But now, I look forward to these big nights and want to be part of them. Am I playing the best football of my career? I feel good, but it’s hard to judge. I’ve had some great seasons here, and right now, I definitely feel in good form.”
