Boss pleased with progress

– Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (above) believes his side are in even better shape than they were during last year’s record-breaking season as the Scottish Premiership resumes following the winter break.

The Hoops manager handed out the ominous warning even though his side have already dropped more points in the league than they did during the whole of the last campaign and have failed so far to significantly strengthen in the January transfer window.

“Looking at the team out in Dubai last week, I was much happier with where we are in this moment than where we were last year,” the Ulsterman said following his side’s winter training camp.

“I know we’re better. Sometimes you may not have the points to show it. It’s all about perception and my perception is that the team is developing really well.”

The Glasgow giants, who hammered Championship side Brechin 5-0 in Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie, will resume league duty against Partick Thistle tomorrow in their familiar position at the top of the table with an eightpoint lead over Aberdeen.

However, there were signs last month of the Scottish champions’ vulnerability as their 69-match unbeaten domestic run came to an end at the hands of Hearts while there were draws with Hibernian and Old Firm foes Rangers.

Rodgers had said there would be a revolving door at Celtic Park in January as he looked to boost his tiring squad for their Europa League and domestic campaigns.

But the predicted flurry of activity has not materialised, with only Marvin Compper and Lewis Morgan signed. Injury will deny the Hoops German international Compper’s services for another month while Morgan has been loaned back to St Mirren until the end of the season. –