USA head coach Gregg Berhalter ripped a page right out the Ange Postecoglou Celtic playbook when it came to Cameron Carter-Vickers' involvement in a crucial Qatar 2022 win over Iran.
The Hoops defender was handed his first start at the World Cup on the biggest of stages for his country, needing a win to ensure progress to the last 16. They achieved a 1-0 win thanks to Christian Pulisic's goal and it sets up a knockout tie with Netherlands later this week, with Berhalter's Carter-Vickers inclusion raising eyebrows.
He replaced Walker Zimmerman after a 0-0 shutout against England but the American manager insists the Celtic defender's experience with playing against low blocks in Scotland – like the one Iran put up – was key to his inclusion. Berhalter explained: "It is difficult after getting a shutout against England to take Walker out, and it was a difficult conversation with Walker.
