Maurice Edu hails 'ridiculous pressure' in Old Firm ahead of World Cup > 자유게시판

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Ex-Rangers and USMNT midfielder Maurice Edu is confident that America's Scotland-based players will be able to cope with the pressures of the World Cup as the national team prepares to begin the tournament against Wales next month.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of and Malik Tillman of are expected to be part of Gregg Berhalter's squad in Qatar, while Tillman's teammate James Sands also has a chance to go as well.

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

Maurice Edu played for Rangers for four seasons, winning three league titles with the club

'Playing in an Old Firm derby is like, [the] pressure level 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 stage because the pressure on the pitch, the pressure off the pitch leading up to the game, the pressure that surrounds the result is at the highest level. 

'So from an emotional standpoint being able to manage all that and still be able to focus on doing what you need to do on the pitch, I think it sets you up well to be successful.'

Edu spent four years in Glasgow playing for Rangers, winning three domestic titles and scoring a stoppage-time winner vs. Celtic in 2010. He made 46 appearances for the USMNT.

Maurice Edu is seen alongside Fox broadcasters Rob Stone (left) and Alexi Lalas (right)

And Carter-Vickers, Tillman and Sands have all experienced varying levels of success with the Scottish powerhouses as well.

Carter-Vickers has been an ever-present in the center of the Celtic defense since joining on loan ahead of last season, earning a permanent move this summer and serving as stand-in captain of late.

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

All three started in Celtic's 4-0 win over Rangers on September 3, and are surely feeling the same demands Edu did with just two points separating 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] either of those two teams the expectation is to win every game,' Edu said. 'Which to some might sound crazy and far-fetched because you look at Rangers, they just played Liverpool [and lost 7-1] - Rangers fans would expect them to win that game.'

Of the three, who Berhalter was  following that 4-0 result, Carter-Vickers has the best chance to be a starter in Qatar with no one making a strong claim to partner Walker Zimmerman in the center of the defense.

Sands did not make the most recent squad, and Tillman has a lot to work on by Berhalter's own telling. 

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

'He's done well, but he needs to do better. He needs to

'I'm disappointed with his last couple performances against Ajax and Celtic.'  buy edu mail cautiously optimistic ahead of the tournament.

'When I talk about their age I'm celebrating it. I'm celebrating the way that these guys have championed their situation at such a young age. I'm celebrating the fact that these guys have so much Champions League experience and played in big games at such a young age. So when I'm talking about it, I'm talking about it more so like, "Yo I'm impressed." I'm impressed the way that this team has come together.

'I will say though there's also a certain beauty to it, because they're so young there's certain moments that maybe they're naïve to that can play in their favor, that they're not concerned or overthinking because it hasn't been their reality. 

'I think there's ways that it could be beneficial but more than anything this group... is young but they're confident, they have an edge to them and I think they'll be prepared for the big moments.'

The USMNT will begin their tournament vs. Wales on November 21, and Carter-Vickers, Tillman and Sands should have more game sharpness than some of their MLS counterparts at that point, with many teams' seasons already over.