IT’S reflective of how determined, focused and thirsty for sustained success the current Celtic squad are, when the captain pinpoints one single disappointing result as the impetus for the Hoops’ incredible form since the turn of the year.

Losing to their rivals in the final game of 2019 was a blow for Neil Lennon’s men, but it was one they were determined to use to their advantage. The proof of that is their unbeaten domestic record from January onwards – 12 wins and one draw – which saw them reach the semi-final of the Scottish Cup, and, of course, clinch the league championship for a ninth successive time.

“Everyone knows we had a little blip at the end of December, but we went to Dubai, we came back and we won every single game besides an away trip to Livingston which we drew,” said Scott Brown in an interview with Celtic TV.

“That shows you the lads’ consistency and determination over the whole season that when we do get that defeat, you bounce back and you bounce back stronger – and that’s what we’ve done.”

The captain said that while the health and wellbeing of fans naturally comes first, he had been looking forward to the cup semi against Aberdeen, given the awesome form he and his team-mates had shown in the games leading up to it.

The same applies to the Hoops’ second trip to Ibrox – which was the next scheduled game prior to the postponement of the Scottish football calendar.

Brown added: “We were actually getting better and better as the season went on, and we wanted to extend our lead at the top. It was hard that the Friday before the Glasgow derby that the game was cancelled, because we were in a great position. If we’d have won that, we’d have gone 16 points clear and we believe we’d have done that.

“We had Aberdeen in the semi-final, we were in great form, and it’s just a shame that we couldn’t have managed to squeeze that in as well. It is what it is, to be honest. We’ve had a great season, the fans have been phenomenal, they’ve backed us all the way, and this one is for them as well.”

Scott Brown: When we bounce back, we bounce back stronger