“We have to play to the level we want to and that’s what we’re focused on.

“We’re starting to see that consistency of mentality and quality in the team and we will look to continue with that.

'We know every opponent is a challenge for us. Derek will come and organise his team well and they will be competitive, but we need to bring the game to the levels we want.'

“What I’ve seen of the players this week, the tempo and intensity has been a continuation of the last period and we will look to bring that to the game on Saturday.”

There’s more positive news coming out of Lennoxtown from the manager with confirmation of the return to fitness of Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Since the USA internationalist has been out of action, Maik Nawrocki has stepped in alongside Liam Scales and the manager said he has been delighted with his contribution.

He said: “They will be involved, they have had a good week of training and it’s great to see Cameron back again, so he will be involved.

“Maik has done very well. I think Scales has been outstanding since he’s come into the team and he’s really grown and developed and been our most consistent performer along with one or two others.

“At centre-half, we have had injuries around Cameron, and Maik and Stephen Welsh, so that’s made it difficult to have that partnership there.

'Cameron’s a fantastic player but it’s great to see Maik come to the fore, and it’s exactly what we thought when we brought him in at the beginning, he was in to challenge Cameron and Carl Starfelt.'

“Sadly he was injured for a long period but he’s come back and he’s shown in the games that he is going to be there to compete. That’s what having a top squad is, it’s not just about having starters, it’s about having people to compete.”

Brendan Rodgers also confirmed that new signing Nicolas Kuhn will be in the squad and could make his debut against the Staggies.

With the winter break over, the games will be coming at a steadier pace with fewer midweek games to consider between now and the end of May.

This gives the manager more time on the training park with the squad which he says will be invaluable going forward.

He added: “When you have that coaching time it’s invaluable. We must use it wisely because you can over-coach players as well.

“So for me, it’s about the balance and I have a brilliant coaching staff here that set up the training and we work very well.

“It’s about the continuation of working on the structure of the team, building a lot of the areas we want to and some remedial work. Every game has ideas to be better at and having the time to coach that is very beneficial.”

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Brendan Rodgers: Squad is ready for return to league action