VIRGIL Van Dijk wants to see Celtic return from their winter break refreshed and ready to continue their formidable form in the SPFL Premiership in the second half of the season.

The Hoops headed to Turkey on the back of a 20-game unbeaten run, after taking up the option of postponing their game with Kilmarnock in favour of a sunshine break.

And Van Dijk hopes the Scottish champions reap the benefits of the warm-weather training when they resume league business upon their return.

The defender said: "Hopefully we can keep the unbeaten run until the end of the season and not concede any goals for as long as possible.

"We will see what happens. We are 20 games unbeaten so it's good to come here on the back of that. We are relaxing and will enjoy the sun."

Van Dijk also told Celtic TV: "All the boys have played a lot of games. We have to take a rest now and we will take it.

"The weather is good. The sun is out and there are blue skies. It's much better than it was in Glasgow. It gets you smiling again and makes you happy. The conditions here are very good and we are looking forward to the game tonight."