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Celtic in pole position as Scottish Premiership returns
GLASGOW, Jan 22, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers 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 Northern Irishman
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 saw off Championship side Brechin 5-0 in
Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie, will resume league duty against Partick Thistle
on Tuesday in their familiar position at the top of the table with an eight-
point 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.
Such has been the dominance of Celtic in recent years many would argue
they do not need a large influx of new arrivals to retain the treble they won
last season.
– Rangers dip into transfer market –
However, their lack of transfer activity is in contrast with rivals
Rangers, who have been swelling their ranks with a number of loan signings.
Scottish trio Jamie Murphy, Russell Martin and Jason Cummings arrived from
their English clubs while midfielder Sean Goss signed from Queens Park
Rangers as manager Graeme Murty attempts to put his own stamp on the club.
The Ibrox club, who also recalled Andy Halliday and Michael O’Halloran
from their loan deals, enjoyed a productive winter break as they recorded
wins over Brazilian sides Atletico Mineiro and Corinthians in the Florida
Cup.
The postponement of Sunday’s Scottish Cup fixture against Fraserburgh
means the new players will get their first taste of competitive action in a
fiery fixture against Aberdeen at Ibrox on Wednesday.
It will be the first time the sides have met since Dons boss Derek McInnes
turned down the chance to take over at Ibrox last month and a win for Rangers
would see them leapfrog Aberdeen into second place.
The Dons lost back-to-back matches against Rangers at the tail end of last
year but the visitors have been boosted by the return of Northern Irish
winger Niall McGinn to the club while midfielder Chidi Nwakali signed on loan
from Manchester City.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0837 hrs