CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS is aiming for the perefct ten as Celtic traget a twelfth Premiership crown in 13 years.
The Hoops have slipped two points behind Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side after losing two back-to-back games against Kilmarnock and Hearts in December and subsequent dropped points in an erratic campaign.
However, Carter-Vickers, a key man in Brendan Rodgers’ set-up, returned for his first start in a month against Dundee in midweek and celebrated with his debut goal of the term that kick-started the landslide 7-1 victory in one of the champions’ most eye-catching performances of the crusade.
The 26-year-old USA World Cup centre-back has fired a rallying call to his team-mates as they prepare for the 10-game countdown to the title, starting with Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.
COMEBACK BHOYS…Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston celebrate in the 7-1 win over Dundee.
Carter-Vickers, a £6million arrival from Spurs in the summer of 2022 after his initial impressive year-long loan, said: “Hopefully, we’ve got that energy. We’ve 10 games left plus Scottish Cup-ties.
“Our aim is to win ALL the games we play. If we want to achieve what we want this season then we have to do that.
“We’re fully focused on that. We know we’ve got a few games left now and we’ve got to attack them all, try to win all of them.”
Asked if this was the most severe title test at Celtic, the Hoops’ pivotal figure, speaking to The Scotsman, replied: “I don’t know if I’d say it’s our toughest.
“I think our first year I was here was tough. We were behind in early part of the year and I think when we went to their stadium before the split, we were only two points ahead.
“So, that was a tough title challenge. Obviously, this one’s going to be difficult, as well. But I think we’ve got the players for it and we’re up for the challenge.”
STRUGGLING…Cameron Carter-Vickers sits it out before being replaced in the 3-0 win over Dundee at Dens Park on Boxing Day.
Carter-Vickers, whose progress this season has been hampered by hamstring problems, added: “It’s been frustrating for myself being in and out with injuries.
“I’m hoping I can stay fit and help the team achieve things. I just did the rehab as well as I could. I got 30 minutes against Motherwell at the weekend plus 60 minutes against Dundee. So that helps.
“I’m hopefully building my way back into it. It’s the same hamstring, on the right side and same side as my knee.
“It’s probably the first time in my career that I’ve had a season like this where I’ve been injured so much. But I think if you’re looking to have a long career then you’re going to have a season like that or two.
“So, you’ve just got to get on with it.”
