Loan star Cam is well aware of the fans’ expectation
Cameron Carter-vickers will be playing in a cup final for the first time this afternoon.
But the defender feels like he has already taken part in 20 of these winnertake-all clashes with Celtic.
Carter-vickers believes life with the Parkhead side is perfect preparation for striding out to compete for silverware.
The on-loan Tottenham man said: “I think playing for Celtic in general brings its own pressure, as you are expected to win every game you play in.
“That helps you as a player because you always have to be on it.
“The pressure helps motivate you.
“Every game in the league, in Europe or in the cup, there is that expectation. That is different to what I have experienced before.
“It keeps you on it every game, whether it is away at Ross County or in a cup final.
“It is 100% the case that every game at Celtic is like a cup final.
“I played in the FA Youth Cup semi-final with Spurs and, at Swansea, we reached the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
“But when we are at home, you have 60,000 fans expecting you to win.
“Pressure is always there, and it will be amplified for the Final.
“I think as a group we are getting used to it, and dealing well with it.”
The American-born player says this afternoon’s occasion is right up his street.
He went on: “I love games that are so important, and ones with 50,000 fans. The semifinal at Hampden was one of the best atmospheres I have been involved in, so I’m looking forward to the same this time.
“My mum, my nan and a few family members are coming up for the game.
“Since I have been here, they haven’t had much opportunity to come and watch me.
“They’re definitely looking forward to this game.”
Carter-vickers, and everyone associated with the club, hopes that success in this game will kick-off a new trophyladen era.
Although Celtic will be fielding a side with a modest amount of experience when it comes to picking up medals in
Scottish football, they still have a few older heads ready to calm the nerves
of those looking to begin their collection.
He said: “It’s definitely an important game for us. It’s a new group of players who have come together at the start of the season.
“So going out together for our first final, and get that win would be important.
“The squad already had a lot of belief. We are very together, and if we can manage to win on Sunday, then that will build on that.
“We have boys like Callum Mcgregor, Joe Hart and others who have played in big finals before, and they are always important in a group which is fairly new and young.
“They have that bit more experience and know the right things to
say before the game, and inside the dressing room.
“That can only help the group.”