Life at Celtic is as good as it has ever been for Cameron Carter-Vickers.
But the same can’t be said for Celtic’s hard-hitting defender on the international stage, and the USMNT (United States Men’s National Team).
Carter-Vickers is managed by some high-profile names. Brendan Rodgers on the domestic stage, and Mauricio Pochettino for his country.
With the USA set to co-host the 2026 World Cup, alongside Mexico and Canada, the Americans turned to Pochettino as their new boss last September.
But life hasn’t started as well as he would have liked, including an ugly public exchange with star man, Christian Pulisic, during this past week, on top of losing four games on the bounce.
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSFMauricio Pochettino warns USMNT players amid public spat with Christian Pulisic
For some, the season still isn’t over, because there is Club World Cup action, the U21 European Championships, and the Gold Cup.
Carter-Vickers wasn’t included in Pochettino’s squad for the Gold Cup, nor the friendly matches, just like star man, Pulisic.
The player then shared on American TV that he had asked to only play the friendly matches against Turkey, which they lost 2-1, and against Switzerland, 4-0 loss, because of the heavy workload over the season for AC Milan.
But that was dismissed by Pochettino, and he came out fighting in his recent press conference, as he responded to Pulisic’s comments, as well as warned the rest of the USMNT players, including the likes of Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty.
As posted by ESPN, the Argentine made it clear that the players ‘can’t dictate the plan’, and how ‘I am not a mannequin.’
“Players don’t need to understand or not understand,” said Pochettino. “Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan.
“The most important thing is that we explained why we decided not to include (Pulisic) in the two friendly games.
“Then if you have some problems, no, that is not my problem to understand. I am the head coach, I am not a mannequin.”
Warning for Celtic duo Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty
This recent public exchange between manager and star player is a warning to the likes of Carter-Vickers and Trusty.
Despite a gruelling European campaign with Celtic, just like Pulisic at Milan, they know what road they can or can’t go down.
Pulisic will probably get away with what has just happened because of his status, but with Celtic’s defensive duo still trying to make a name for themselves on the international stage, they now know where they stand.
The 2025/26 season is huge for them, because they aren’t regulars for the USA, who are struggling at the back, and if they can go to the next level at Celtic, then there is no reason why they can’t be starters at the upcoming World Cup.