Celtic news: Brendan Rodgers fires warning to Premiership rivals

The champions go into this weekend’s round of fixtures five points clear of Rangers and Aberdeen, with a better goal difference and a game in hand.

Celtic, who hope to sign RB Leipzig defender Marvin Compper next month, will have played 38 matches by the time their home derby with Rangers is completed on December 30.

Rodgers said: “You put so much into the first half of the season, but when we get to the break we’ll hit the reset button again. We’ll have more coaching and working time, so I’ve no doubt we will be better.

“This has been a tough run of games. I have nothing but admiration for the players.

“It’s not just what they’ve done in the 69 games unbeaten domestically, it’s what they have done every day in training. 

“It’s what we do to shape that mentality because if they feel they can be lazy in training then they can be the same in games.

“They might not always have been at their best, but they have always given their best and their qualities have come through. 

“That starts in training at Lennoxtown. Everything is right in terms of the training, sports science, nutrition, analysis, how they can improve.

“They are a very hungry group who want to learn and have a willingness to win.”

Rodgers admits the winter break could not be coming at a better time for his players.

“The break is the light at the end of tunnel and it’s not even about relaxing,” he said. 

“What we’ll do is give the players a week with their families to get a breather from football and recover.

“Then we’ll work very hard in the warm weather in Dubai, and we also hope to have new signings in during that period.

“That will allow us to bond and get together on the training pitch.

“In the second half of the season we’ll also have more coaching time, but the players’ desire and will to keep winning games and bouncing back from knocks has always been there.”

Rodgers has been linked with a move to land Charly Musonda on loan from Chelsea.