ADD A CELTIC DEAL TO YOUR CCV

Vega tells Cameron: Don’t do what I did and leave at end of your Paradise loan...

RAMON VEGA didn’t get the opportunity to turn his loan move from Tottenham to Celtic into a permanent deal.

He says if Cameron CarterVickers does get that door opened for him to do it, he simply has to storm through.

The USA centre-back has made an instant impression in Glasgow having arrived on a short-term agreement at the end of last summer’s transfer window.

Carter-Vickers has slotted comfortably into manager Ange Postecoglou’s set-up and has been an excellent performer for the gaffer.

Celtic are now in negotiations with Tottenham over making the deal permanent for the 24-year-old and Vega wishes that’s a chance that had come his way.

Back in 2000, the Swiss defender headed for Parkhead when manager Martin O’Neill secured a loan deal.

Just as Carter-Vickers did on his debut against Ross County, Vega scored on first appearance against Aberdeen. In fact, he scored twice.

However, when the campaign came to an end, the stay was not extended. Instead of staying at Celtic, he ended up at Watford.

Vega was sad to go and he believes CarterVickers has to understand the sheer size of the club he is currently at.

With talks between the clubs still ongoing, the American international does not yet have a decision to make.

But if he does, Vega reckons there can only be one response.

He said: “I hope CarterVickers has the opportunity I didn’t have. The chance was not there for me to stay because I certainly would have done.

“Celtic wouldn’t have even had to have paid £6million for me. I was free and I didn’t get the chance which I would have loved.

“If I was him, and the opportunity is there for this move to become a permanent thing, it’s not even a question mark because you will improve an enormous amount.

“You’d be taking a massive step up in your career to be working within a massive club.

“Every time any player would ask me about going to Celtic, I’d say don’t even think about it.

“Get on a bike and cycle there because you are going to play very good football and represent a huge club.

“It is always the case when you go from another club into a new life and a new opportunity, it gives an enormous boost.

“It’s a new environment and, if it starts clicking with the team doing well and performing, it helps bring out the best in you.”

Carter-Vickers has been a regular for Postecoglou with his excellent reading of the game and strong defensive qualities helping Celtic to the best defensive record in the Premiership during the opening half of the campaign. Vega says being part of a progressing line-up will have helped the stopper to get into a groove.

He said: “Sometimes, even though you’re having a bad time or not getting a chance it doesn’t mean you’re a bad player.

“Maybe it is just not happening for you and the new environment can invigorate.

“What happened to me going to Celtic, the dressing room from day one helped a lot. Scoring a couple of goals on my debut also helped.

“Going to a new club and entering a positive environment, it brings the best out of anyone and it seems it is happening with Carter-Vickers. He has been very good and I don’t think anyone can have watched Celtic this season and not be impressed with Carter-Vickers.

“You could see he improved and impressed straight away, almost as soon as he joined Celtic. It gives immediate confidence when you go in and start well.

“It integrates you immediately and you do not have to keep proving yourself. You immediately show to people that you have value to the team and it’s a great move for him.”

Carter-Vickers’ performances have been instrumental in Celtic’s domestic work during the opening months of the Postecoglou reign. Although the backline and the rest of the team were unable to keep it locked during European competition, they have bolted the door at home.

Vega had noted during last season’s poor performances that a failure to be tight had been the ultimate reason for their trophyless term.

The former defender told Record Sport last May Celtic would “need to build a castle if they want to be kings again”.

Celtic’s new defenders such as Carter-Vickers have responded and Vega has been thrilled at the progress.

He said: “I’ve been very impressed. Ange has done a brilliant job and put some real

Chance was not there for me to stay – because I would have done

RAMON VEGA