Cameron Carter Vickers offers Celtic gauntlet to Bojan Miovski as he reveals why defending is harder than it looks

Cameron Carter-Vickers reckons Celtic’s attacking weapons deserve huge credit for blunting their rivals.

And the defender says it’s also part of his job to ensure Ange Postecoglou’s in-form striking heroes keep causing mayhem. As well as hammering goals, Celtic have regained their solidity in recent weeks. The champions have lost just two goals in their last eight games with the USA international and partner Carl Starfelt the cornerstones of the backline.

But Carter-Vickers insists the team’s success is about the overall package with every individual doing a little bit of another man’s job. He explained: “Nowadays, what your defenders do on the ball can massively affect your attacking players and what your forward players do off the ball can massively affect your defenders. I think that’s how the game is now and, when team is in sync and doing all the right things offensively and defensively, then it definitely shows.

“I think it’s just the hard work paying off for us. We work really hard not only as a back four, but as the entire team. The attacking players start it really with their pressing and their off-the-ball work and, when they do that, then it helps us massively the back. It’s a combination of things.”

Using the ball well from the back was evident when Celtic last met Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Jim Goodwin’s cautious approach meant Carter-Vickers and his rearguard colleagues had to be smart.

He said: “Yeah, playing for the manager here you are aware that you are going to have a lot of the ball and you have to be good in that aspect of the game. But also, there are a lot of different types of defending. A lot of the time, people only appreciate or notice when maybe the other team is on top and you are around your box