The Celts return to action this weekend with the visit of Dundee on Saturday, and the Hoops will be keen to maintain the top-of-the-table status they hold going into this week’s SPFL fixture schedule.

The news that Reo Hatate is back from injury has been countered by the fact that Liel Abada will not only be unavailable for the Dundee visit, but he’ll be out for some time after as well.

It’s nothing, though, that Brendan Rodgers hasn’t faced in every game so far this season as his side have fought adversity to claim top spot.

The manager said: “I’d rather have it now. When we went to our game against Rangers, it was well-documented about players that were missing and everything else.

‘But really the glue that keeps us together always is our togetherness and personality, and organisation.’

“When we have that, whoever represents Celtic will hopefully have those qualities, and that’s what we look for in our team.

“It’s just unfortunate, we just have to deal with it and that’s the reason why you have a good squad.”

That was the case when Liam Scales came in for a Man of the Match performance in that Ibrox win, meaning the absence of the likes of Abada merely opens the door for someone else and the manager is well used the ‘headache’ of pulling a team together..

The Irishman added: “Obviously we have players coming into the squad that are new and it’s unfortunate when someone does miss out with injury, but it provides the opportunity for someone else.

‘So, whoever that is and whenever that is, it’s an opportunity that you want the player to take, so without forcing it, it’s a great chance for him to come in and play and perform.’

“It’s not so much headaches, just things to consider. Luis Palma won’t be back until tomorrow (Friday), so we have to have a wee look at that, it’s a long way he’s travelled.

“But there are lots of games for us that players will be involved in and we just have to make sure they’re ready.

“That’s the key and I think you saw that with the players so far. We’ve had players missing, but we’ve won three games and drew one, and two of those games have been away in real tough venues for us.

“So, the players have shown that they’re training well. They are working hard and when they are asked they know they need to be ready. That will be the case going forward.”

Brendan Rodgers looking for same qualities from table-toppers