It’s only a short return to Lennoxtown as the first-team squad travels to Portugal on Sunday for a training camp.

It's an opportunity for the squad to kick on and come back stronger when the league recommences on December 17 with an away game against Aberdeen, with Celtic currently sitting nine points clear at the top of the table.

And the the squad will be boosted by the return of the captain Callum McGregor from injury.

The manager added: “The start to the season has been very strong with 14 wins out of 15. If you factor into that the last period and the congestion of games with the Champions League and travel, our domestic form was outstanding.

“I think they handled it magnificently but having said, that I think our football can be better and now we have some clear air from certain things we will improve now.

“I think they’re looking forward to taking it up a gear when the games restart. It’s been a great start but I think our best football is still ahead of us.

'Callum was training with the first-team today and will be part of some of our build-up to the next game against Aberdeen.'

“He will be ready to go and it will be great to have him back.

“Credit to the team, people stepped up when we needed them to because he’s such an influential player on and off the pitch.

“Cameron Carter-Vickers did a brilliant job stepping in as captain alongside Joe Hart, and they filled that void.

“Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate probably played the most during that time and were excellent in filling that gap that was left by Callum but there’s no doubt it’s great to have him back for us as a team and a while club.”

It’s a return to some normality for the Celtic side having spent the first week of the World Cup break in Australia for the Sydney Super Cup.

Reflecting on the trip, the manager was delighted with the impact the club made in his homeland, and he’s been equally delighted by his nation and his players' form at the World Cup in Qatar.

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