Celtic Duo to Play in Derby Before Break

Defenders Called Up Before Facing Club's Rival on Sunday

Celtic's formidable defensive duo of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty will make the 22-hour round trip to America next week after being named in Mauricio Pochettino's USA squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semi-final against Panama.

Their call-up is no surprise given their outstanding performances for the Scottish champions. Celtic currently sits 16 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and concedes less than a goal per game on average. The pair's defensive prowess has been instrumental in Celtic's pursuit of a domestic treble. They already secured the Scottish League Cup with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Rangers before winning on penalties.

Carter-Vickers and Trusty built their chemistry at the under-20 World Cup in 2017 under coach Tab Ramos. Still, their partnership at the senior level for the USA has yet to blossom—the duo has yet to play with each other.

Since Trusty's £5 million move from Sheffield United in August, the pair have established themselves as one of the league's most dominant defensive partnerships. Their success has not gone unnoticed, with Carter-Vickers reportedly attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Brighton, Everton, and Crystal Palace. The 27-year-old defender, who initially joined Celtic on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021 before making a permanent £6 million move, has reportedly had a £20 million price tag placed on him by manager Brendan Rodgers.

Before departing for international duty, the American duo will face a crucial test this weekend as Celtic take on Rangers in what could be a pivotal match in the title race. A victory would move Celtic closer to clinching yet another Scottish Premiership crown and further cement the reputation of Carter-Vickers and Trusty as one of the most effective defensive partnerships in Europe.