BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed he is looking for an IMPROVEMENT in Celtic when they resume their task of wiping the floor with the rest of Scottish football in 2017.
The Hoops are off to Dubai for a sunshine training camp and the Irishman is determined they will hit the ground running when they return.
Celtic are 19 points ahead with a game in hand at the top of the Premiership, are unbeaten on the domestic front, have already claimed the Betfred League Cup and their next game is the Scottish Cup-tie against part-time Albion Rovers at the Excelsior Stadium on Sunday, January 22.
Rodgers said: “It’s been a really special six months being manager at Celtic, but now I’m really looking to the coming months of 2017 and focusing on improving the overall team again and the club.
“It’s just about being the best we can be. That means every day, taking the opportunity to be better than before, to learn to develop and to keep pushing and working hard.
“We have already began our journey together, but there are lots for us to do and to achieve and you only do that by working, so while it’s nice that the team is getting credit at the moment, it can very quickly change and you have to be wary of that.
“The minute you stop working, it all changes, so it’s important we continue with that and I have no doubt it will and we will look forward to, hopefully, a healthy and successful 2017.”
Rodgers added: “You are never always going to have it all your own way in every game – you get results in different ways. That’s key for the team
“We have identity in terms of how we play, but sometimes the opponent makes it so difficult you have to counter-act that and find a way.
“This team has shown that in pressure situations that they can go on and do that and win.
“Their belief is growing all the time and the connection between the supporters and the team is growing all the time which is vitally important.”
* Rodgers was talking to the Celtic View, on sale now.
