FORMER Celtic defender Ramon Vega wishes his loan spell in Glasgow from Tottenham was made permanent - and he is urging Cameron Carter-Vickers to extend his stay at Parkhead.
The Swiss centre-half swapped White Hart Lane for Celtic Park in December 2000 and made a significant contribution as Martin O'Neill's side sealed a domestic treble.
American internationalist Carter-Vickers has enjoyed a fine start to life under manager Ange Postecoglou since arriving from Spurs in the summer and, along with Portuguese winger Jota, Celtic are believed to be interested in making the centre-back's move permanent.
After returning down south, Vega found himself at Watford despite wanting to remain with the SPL champions. And as Carter-Vickers finds himself approaching a similar crossroads, the Vega hopes that the 24-year-old will take the 'massive step up' by committing his future to the club.
"I hope that Carter-Vickers has the opportunity that I didn’t have," he told the Daily Record. "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 would 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 going 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 to bring out the best in you."
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