ANDREAS HINKEL believes Celtic need to take a look at how they won the title last season in order to retain their champion-ship credentials this term.

The Parkhead side are currently setting the pace as they lead Rangers by a point, but the stuttering nature of the season and the manner in which significant leads have been cut back will ensure a jittery final five matches.

Gordon Strachan's side have to go to Pittodrie at lunchtime this Saturday and Hinkel reckons taking small steps towards the title is the only way to do it.

"It's a new year, a new league championship, everything is different," said the German defender.

"One thing we can learn a lot from is the way we took it game by game last season. We focused on what was next and it allowed us to win seven consecutive games at the end of the season.

"The title is in our own hands just now. Last year, that wasn't the case. Rangers had the advantage and we had to just concentrate on winning every game we played. We have to do the same this season.

"We can't think about having a one-point lead and allow that to change the way we play. We have to look forward all the time. Football is about what happens next - not what happened last year."

Celtic will play three of their remaining five games away from home, with trips to Ibrox and Easter Road also on the cards for the Parkhead side.

It is an intense period in which the players will be required to use all of their experience to make it over the line and in doing so reach the significant milestone of four successive titles.

Hinkel has acknowledged that Celtic cannot be overwhelmed by the amount of pressure riding on the final games of their season.

"Every point counts. Every game, every goal, every point...they all count more than ever," he said.

"All of our matches are important because we are reaching the most important stage of the season. I have seen what fixtures we have been given, home and away, but I don't look too far ahead.

"I think about football from game to game. I look at the next game and only after that do I look at what comes after.

Right now, all I'm thinking about is the Aberdeen match. Rangers play Hearts the day after, so we will see what happens.

Celtic were able to take the chance to recharge their batteries last week with a stay in La Manga, a premier sporting resort with impeccable facilities. It gave the squad an opportunity to regroup and prepare for the most pivotal point in the season.

The benefits of the trip are impossible to gauge until the end of the season, but to Hinkel it was a worthwhile exercise as some players got the chance to work on their fitness while others had the chance to relax and psyche themselves up for one last push.

"It's the first time I have ever experienced a trip like this, but I know that a lot of British teams do this when they have a longer break," he told the Celtic View.

"The manager also gave us some time off and we could play golf, tennis or even just relax by the pool and on the beach.

"It was good to work hard and also relax. I think it will help make us fresher for the last few games."