following Celtic’s victory over Ross County, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has voiced his frustration over the performance of defender Cameron Carter-Vickers. Despite the win, Sutton did not hold back in his criticism, stating that Carter-Vickers has consistently underperformed and is unlikely to change his ways.
Celtic secured a 5:0 victory at Parkhead, extending their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. However, the scoreline did little to appease Sutton, who took to social media to express his concerns. “Yes, we won, but let’s not gloss over the fact that Carter-Vickers was once again poor,” Sutton tweeted. “This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s been an ongoing issue. He needs to step up, or he will continue to be a liability for us.”
Carter-Vickers, who joined Celtic on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021 before making the move permanent, has had a mixed spell at the club. While he has shown moments of brilliance, Sutton’s comments highlight a growing discontent among fans regarding his consistency. In recent matches, including the one against Ross County, Carter-Vickers has struggled with positioning, decision-making, and at times seemed lackadaisical in defending.
These concerns are particularly amplified given the championship aspirations of Celtic this season. Under manager Brendan Rodgers, the team has been aiming not just for domestic success but also for a deeper run in European competitions. The defensive frailties exposed in recent games could jeopardize those ambitions if not addressed soon.
Sutton’s critique isn’t coming from a place of malice; rather, it reflects the high expectations associated with wearing the Celtic jersey. As a player who enjoyed significant success at the club, including numerous league titles, Sutton understands the demands on players at Celtic Park. His comments resonate with many supporters who believe that every player should strive for excellence, especially in key positions like central defense.
Fans took to social media to rally around Sutton’s sentiments. Many echoed his frustrations, emphasizing that while individual errors can happen, repeated mistakes at the highest level are unacceptable. “Carter-Vickers has so much potential, but he needs to find consistency. We can’t afford to have weak links in defense,” wrote one supporter.
Critics of Sutton argue that he may be overlooking the positive contributions Carter-Vickers has made during his time at the club. Some pointed out that every player has off days, and given the intensity of the Scottish league, it’s easy to have a poor performance against stubborn teams like Ross County. Nevertheless, Sutton’s remarks have ignited a broader conversation about the need for improvement and accountability within the squad.
As Celtic prepare for their next fixtures, including crucial league encounters and a challenging European campaign, the focus will undoubtedly be on how the team addresses these defensive issues. For Carter-Vickers, the coming weeks represent a pivotal period in his career. He will need to prove both to critics like Sutton and to the Celtic supporters that he has the capability to rise above the challenges and be a reliable figure in the defensive lineup.
With the pressure mounting and the stakes higher than ever, all eyes will be on Carter-Vickers to see if he can quiet the critics and solidify his position as a cornerstone of Celtic’s backline.
