Scott McDonald insists every single Celtic player must shoulder the responsibility for their poor results - not just the defenders.

Centre-halves Stephen McManus, Gary Caldwell and Glenn Loovens have been singled out for criticism in recent weeks, with boss Tony Mowbray even admitting he has yet to identify his favoured partnership.

Striker McDonald insisted: "As a team, we are all in it together. We defend from the front first, as all good managers like to say."

He continued: "It's true. When the goals aren't coming, it's not just about the strikers. It's the same with not conceding goals.

"Yes, the back four will be looked at as the main people who will get the blame for it because that's their job. But, the way we see it as players, we all have to do something to stop this happening, not just two or three of the players."

The rearguard came under scrutiny after losing two early goals at Ibrox as Celtic slumped to defeat to Rangers in their last outing in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Conceding early goals, in particular, has been a problem in recent weeks, with Dundee United, Hearts, Rapid Vienna and Rangers all finding the back of the net within the opening 10 minutes of their meetings with the Hoops.

"The sloppiness at the start of games is something we will have to talk about," said McDonald. "How many times does it have to happen before we do something about it? I'm sure everyone will be focused on Saturday and make sure we start the game right and don't concede early.

"Hopefully, we will pop up at the other end and score the first goal instead of chasing the game. That would be nice."