CAMERON Carter-Vickers has pinpointed one area where he believes Celtic need to improve to halt their slump in form and get their Scottish title challenge back on track – breaking down teams with packed defences.

The Parkhead club struggled to beat St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in the cinch Premiership earlier this month – and have since lost to Kilmarnock away and Hearts at home in the league.

Centre half Carter-Vickers, who returned to action after a spell out with a hamstring injury in the 2-0 reverse the Glasgow giants suffered on Saturday, feels Brendan Rodgers’ side performed far better against Hibernian and Feyenoord because they did not sit back so much. 

The United States internationalist is well aware that most of Celtic’s domestic rivals will try to soak up pressure and then score on the counter attack and feels they have to become better at finding their way through five man rearguards.  

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“Every game of football is different,” he said. “You come up against different styles. Champions League game are just very different games compared to the league games.

“Even in the win against Hibs, they pressed up and tried to keep the ball a bit more than what we normally face in the league. Maybe it’s the case that we struggle against certain styles of team, and again that’s something we need to look at and try to improve on.

Glasgow Times: Celtic's players applaud their fans at Parkhead after their defeat to Hearts on Saturday“Win, lose or draw we always know the next game is the most important one and as a group that’s what we try to focus on.

The 25-year-old, who made his move to Celtic permanent last year when he completed a £6m transfer from Spurs, has captained the Parkhead club in the past when regular skipper Callum McGregor has been out injured and fully intends to lead by example in the coming weeks.

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“There are a few boys in there who feel that way as well,” he said. “It’s no use having just Cal. He’s our captain and shows that responsibility but he needs help.

“There are a few boys in the changing room who are willing to take that responsibility, willing to try to lead the team, and that’s something we need to do in the coming weeks.”