Maurice Edu says ‘ridiculous pressure’ in Old Firm derbies means duo will be ready to shine in Qatar

Ex-Rangers and USMNT midfielder Maurice Edu is confident the American players from Scotland can handle the pressures of the World Cup as the national team prepares to start the tournament against Wales next month.

Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers and Rangers’ Malik Tillman are expected to join Gregg Berhalter’s squad in Qatar, while Tillman’s team-mate James Sands also has a chance to go.

And while none of those names have ever played in a World Cup, Edu knows firsthand that their experiences in Scotland would be immensely helpful on the world stage.

‘Playing in an Old Firm derby is like, [the] the level of pressure is ridiculous,” Edu, who was part of the USMNT’s 2010 World Cup squad, told DailyMail.com at a Fox Sports press event last week.

“So I think if you come out of that unscathed it prepares you for any kind of podium because the pressure on the pitch, the pressure off the pitch leading up to the game, the pressure surrounding the result is of the highest order.” level.

“So emotionally being able to manage all that and still focus on what you have to do on the pitch, I think it sets you up well to be successful.”

Edu played four years in Glasgow for Rangers, winning three domestic titles and scoring a stoppage time winner in 2010 vs. Celtic. He played 46 games for the USMNT.

Maurice Edu can be seen alongside Fox channels Rob Stone (left) and Alexi Lalas (right)

And Carter-Vickers, Tillman and Sands have all had varying degrees of success with the Scottish powerhouses.

Carter-Vickers has always been at the center of Celtic’s defense since he was loaned out last season, earned a permanent transfer this summer and most recently served as stand-in captain.

Tillman, currently on loan from Bayern Munich, has two goals and an assist on five league starts, while Sands (on loan from NYCFC) has four domestic starts this season, losing to Rangers in the Europa League final in May last year to Eintracht Frankfurt.

All three started in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Rangers on September 3, and certainly feel the same demands as Edu did with just two points between the teams at the top of the table.

Malik Tillman celebrates after scoring a stunning solo goal vs. Motherwell last weekend

“It’s crazy, [with] one of those two teams is expected to win every game,” said Edu. ‘Which may sound crazy and far-fetched to some because you watch Rangers, they were just playing against Liverpool’ [and lost 7-1] – Rangers fans would expect to win that game.”

Of the three, who was Berhalter? spotted dining with after that 4-0 result, Carter-Vickers has the best chance of being a starter in Qatar without anyone making a strong claim to partner Walker Zimmerman in the center of defence.

Sands didn’t make the most recent roster and Tillman has a lot to work on, Berhalter knows.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has a chance to start as a center back for the USMNT in Qatar

“He’s done well, but he needs to improve. He has to raise his level,’ Berhalter said for a few friendlies vs. Japan and Saudi Arabia.

“I am disappointed with his last few appearances against Ajax and Celtic.”

At just 20 years old, Tillman is a work in progress, although his youth is the rule and not the exception with this squad.

The USMNT is expected to be one of the youngest teams in the tournament, but players like Christian Pulisic (24, Chelsea), Weston McKennie (24, Juventus), Tyler Adams (23, Leeds United) and Gio Reyna (19, Borussia) Dortmund) already have extensive European resumes.

It is this dichotomy that makes Edu cautiously optimistic for the tournament.

“When I talk about their age, I celebrate it. I celebrate the way these guys defended their situation at such a young age. I celebrate the fact that these guys have so much Champions League experience and have played in big games at such a young age. So when I talk about it, I’m more like, “Yo, I’m impressed.” I am impressed with the way this team has come together.

“I will say it has a certain beauty to it too, because they are so young that there are certain times when they might be naive, that can play to their advantage, that they don’t worry or think too much because it isn’t been. their reality.

“I think there are ways it can be helpful, but most of all, this group is… young, but they’re confident, they’re ahead and I think they’re going to be prepared for the big moments.”

The USMNT kicks off their tournament against Wales on November 21, and Carter-Vickers, Tillman and Sands should have more game sharpness than some of their MLS counterparts by then, as many teams’ seasons are already over.