The American Dream.
The ideal that every person of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination.
Cameron Carter-Vickers has set his sights on more joy with his country in the near future.
The Celtic centre-back appeared at the World Cup for USA. The 25-year-old was applauded for his performances, but he wasn’t a first pick in the starting line-up. That’s his ultimate aim. To become a regular starter for his national side.
Hungry for more international recognition, he said: “It was a great experience. Being at the world’s biggest tournament was great for me personally.
“I got to play one game which I enjoyed and I learned things from it. Overall it was a good experience.
“There’s a real tight bond between the coaches and players within that group. When you’re in tournaments like that you’re away for four or five weeks as a group and you have to get on with people otherwise it can be a horrible time.
The USA group definitely has that - we get on well and socially it’s good. Americans are generally quite patriotic and you definitely saw that with some of the performances at the World Cup.”
Carter-Vickers and his US teammates were addressed by President Joe Biden prior to their outings in Qatar.
It wasn’t a surprise to hear from the leader of their country, but there was little advanced notice for such a big honour. He added: “We knew. We didn’t really know for a long time in advance to be fair but when we went into the meeting room we knew he was going to be on the call. Any time you see people, especially people like that, supporting you it definitely gives you a boost.
“They’re slightly different (Biden and Postecoglou). I’d say Ange’s probably have a bit more tactical knowledge of football! But they're both obviously two motivational people who you can take stuff from.”
The powerful defender appeared on a Ted Lasso inspired poster in his father’s hometown of Baton Rouge in the States.
Understandably, it was a bit of a pinch me moment for he and his family. He elaborated: “That’s where my dad is from. He still lives there. Anything that can build support for the team, it can only be positive and some of them were quite funny.
“I’m not sure if dad went to look at the billboard himself but he said he had friends and family who sent him pictures but Baton Rouge is quite a big place.”
“I go out to see him or sometimes he’ll come over here. But growing up I went out there quite a lot. I have good memories from those days going there when I was younger, spending time with family.
“The whole of my dad’s side of the family is over there - cousins, aunties, uncles, stuff like that.
“They really got into the World Cup. I talk to my dad regularly anyway but he and the rest of the family were watching the games together.”
Celtic take on St Johnstone at lunchtime today. On their last visit to Perth, the Hoops relied on a last gasp Giorgos Giakoumakis finish to seal all three points.
They will be without the Greek international this time, as he moves to Atlanta United in the MLS, but the squad is arguably in its best ever state under Postecoglou.
Carter-Vickers is looking forward to the McDiarmid Park tussle. He said: “For us we are in good form at the moment and just try to reach the levels we know we can.
“We’re probably not thinking too much about the last game. It was a while ago now and we’re confident if we can play to the level we can we’ll get the result.”
On the challenge of Saints, Postecoglou added: “Callum is a fantastic manager. He’s been at St Johnstone for a while now and he’s had success. We know how hard it is for clubs to win any competition in Scotland but he’s done it.
“The one thing about his teams is that they always have a good work ethic. They’re always well-structured and I’ve got a lot of time for Callum. He’s a great guy as well, I’ve had a few chats with him. He’s done a great job.
“The fact he won two trophies is an outstanding, unbelievable effort.
“There might have been external noise, but I’d be surprised if internally at St Johnstone, they weren’t backing him 100 percent for what he’s done at that club. Within this environment, he’s very highly regarded.”
Adam Montgomery is enjoying an impressive season at St Johnstone. He certainly played a key role in their win over Motherwell in midweek.
Of course, he cannot feature against his parent club this afternoon. But Postecoglou has been pleased with the wing-back’s progress.
He said: “Adam has been good and it’s great for us that he’s playing regularly. He’s playing under a very good manager in Callum in a good environment.
“The fact St Johnstone recalled him shows they appreciate his efforts there. With Adam, it’s like every other young player out on loan or here in the building. They’ve got an opportunity to progress and we’ll assess it after that.
“He’s turned his loan into a positive for himself. He’s starting to make a real impact and hopefully he can finish the season strongly.”
