Cameron Carter-Vickers claims Celtic have nothing to prove as they prepare to travel to Ibrox for the final Old Firm game of the season.
A comprehensive 5-0 win at Tannadice ensured Brendan Rodgersâ side wrapped up the clubâs 55th title and their fourth in succession.
Now 17 points ahead at the top of the Premiership with four games remaining, the Parkhead men crossed the line despite losing the last two Glasgow derbies.
While Carter-Vickers would dearly love to mark the teamâs latest championship triumph with a win on the other side of the city, he feels Brendan Rodgersâ men have already amply demonstrated that they are the best side in the country.
âI mean, some people might say set the record (straight),â said the American international. âI wouldnât personally use that kind of language because, for me, itâs not just one or two games in the season, but the whole 38. And I think weâve shown over the games that we are the best team.
âWe definitely want to win the game next weekend and put in a strong performance because, at the end of the day, we know itâs something that the fans care about and we care about also.
Cameron Carter-Vickers celebrates with his team-mates after winning the title at Tannadice
The defender says Celtic have shown they are the best and will have nothing to prove at IbroxÂ
Winger James Forrest is now the most decorated player in Celtic’s history with 26 honoursÂ
âOf course, we want to win. We want to win every game we play. And thatâs no different for who it is.
âWeâll have a couple of days where we can celebrate winning the league and then our full focus will be on that game and trying to win it.â
Initially signed on loan from Tottenham in 2021, Carter-Vickers has now won the title in each of his four seasons in Scotland to go with two Scottish Cups and three League Cups.
A key part of the side who have continued Celticâs domination of Scottish football, the 27-year-old is adamant that he could never tire of the scenes of celebration which came after the final whistle on Tayside.
âI donât think so,â he added. âEspecially with the league. When you get around the stage where you can clinch the title and get that tied up, you definitely look forward to it because it just shows the effort and all the hard work weâve put in for months now. Thatâs kind of the ribbon on the achievement, if you want.
âThatâs why, for me, the league is so special. You donât win a league unless you have been giving it 100 per cent right from pre-season, which Iâm sure if you ask most of the boys now, they couldnât even remember what was going on there.
âBut it all counts. We know that, thatâs how we go into every season and it shows at this time of year.
âFor me, personally, the league is the most important. Winning the league shows that throughout the season, the effort you put in, the consistency that youâve shown. You only get to lift that if you deserve it.
âItâs a special feeling and something to be proud of.â
On a day when Celtic equalled Rangersâ record of 55 titles, James Forrest became the Parkhead clubâs most decorated player with 26 honours.
Famously modest off the field, the veteran winger held back tears at full-time as the magnitude of the achievement hit him.
Carter-Vickers says the 33-year-old has earned the right to be spoken of in the same breath as any to have worn the famous green and white jersey.
âItâs unbelievable the amount of trophies heâs won, the amount of games heâs played and goals heâs scored. All the stats are amazing,â he said.
âWe joke around with him. Ali (Johnston) always says to him: âYou should have a statue outside Celtic Park, youâre a legendâ.
âYou know what James is like, heâs so humble. Heâs like: âNah, nahâ and laughs it off. But he probably is. You look at what heâs won and the stats that heâs got at this club, heâs definitely up there.
âHeâs a top professional, he eats the right things, you always see him in the gym after training, stretching and stuff.
âYou can see the example by what he does rather than just what he says. Heâs definitely a leader in this team.â
