AS absurd as it may sound in the throes of deepest, darkest January, but there have been many protagonists in the Brendan Rodgers success story that is this season.

We may still be several months away from the formality of Celtic mathematically clinching the Ladbrokes Premiership title, in what will be their sixth in a row, as the Glasgow club stroll 19 points clear of nearest challengers Rangers. A chasm surely only to widen further as we emerge from the clutches of winter.

But even leaving the inevitable title party in May to the side, as the Scottish champions relax and unwind in the comforting heat of Dubai at the midway point of a campaign that has already offered up Champions League football and a League Cup, Rodgers’ influence on this group of players can already be measured.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers: Celtic new Bhoy Kouassi Eboue reminded me of Sterling and Coutinho - I was sold on him in 10 seconds

As the Northern Irishman stood outside the plush team hotel in the UAE, the shining example of that work was not the glistening Manager of the Month trophy being held in his hands, but the young Invernesian stood next to him clutching the Player of the Month gong.

The impact of Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele have of course been pivotal in taking Celtic back out of second gear to accelerate out of sight domestically. But a true mark of his tactical and managerial abilities are best analysed when you look at those who a year ago looked to be floundering, but now spread their wings proudly and strongly as one of the club’s foremost players.

Step up Stuart Armstrong.

“I’m not saying it’s not a shock to win the award, but I always had belief in myself that I could play in this Celtic team,” said the Celtic midfielder.

“Scoring goals is also a big thing for me. I was doing that at Dundee United and didn’t quite bring it here, which was a big disappointment of mine through the first 18 months at the club.

“To start playing in central midfield has really helped me perform better and be better as a team member.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers: Celtic new Bhoy Kouassi Eboue reminded me of Sterling and Coutinho - I was sold on him in 10 seconds

“Of course, I would have been disappointed if I had needed to leave the club without having the opportunity to play where I wanted to and where I felt I could be best.

“That would have been slightly disappointing, but I have had a nice little chance to play in the centre of the field and I have a lot to thank the gaffer for allowing me to play there and giving me something to work towards.

“Having that belief in me has been very important.”

Brought to Parkhead two years ago from Tannadice, Armstrong struggled to make a lasting impact under a manager who failed to identify the talent on his hands. Often the 24-year-old would find himself isolated out on the left by Ronny Deila, away from his preferred central berth, struggling to live up to the hype that followed him down the road from Tayside.

It was a frustrating beginning to a Celtic career that is finally beginning to melt away as games, goals and gongs begin to flow.

“It’s nice to have that versatility, but sometimes versatility can restrict you in a way and stop you being deployed in your main position,” he explained. “It was a frustrating time before, but it’s not that I wasn’t playing.

“I was playing, so how do you approach that situation? There was a conversation where it was mentioned, but that was at the latter end.

“It’s just I couldn’t perform the way I wanted, but it’s in the past.”

Eight goals in 29 appearances account for Armstrong’s efforts, but the stats don’t serve to indicate the commanding role he is now taking on the field. You only have to look to the Hogmanay win over Rangers to see what a tenacious talent he can be.

Making sure he has a home at Celtic for the long-term is important to Brendan Rodgers, who said yesterday: “It's something me and him have regular communication on and it's something the club is keen to do something on.

"He's in a really good place right now and it's just time. He has 18 months left but I'm sure we can get something organised.”

Read more: Brendan Rodgers: Celtic new Bhoy Kouassi Eboue reminded me of Sterling and Coutinho - I was sold on him in 10 seconds

However, the player himself is content to deal in the here and now.

“I think the big thing right now is that I do feel settled for the first time since I arrived,” he said. “I know my place in the team and I know what I can offer.

“I have a good relationship with the gaffer and very much want to learn from him and his experiences.

“That’s important, especially having that settled feeling when you are at a big club. It’s all about the right feeling and this is the best I have ever played since I started professional football.

“I’m doing it in a big team, in big games and competitions under big pressure. I would say I’m very happy.”

Fortunately for Armstrong, one of the men at Ibrox on December 31 to witness his gripping display was Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.

Despite being involved in several call ups and being capped at different youth levels, the midfielder has yet to take to the field as a full senior internationalist. It is surely an ambition that's not too far away from coming to life.

“It’s an ambition of mine to play international football," he said. “I’ve not quite made it onto the grass yet having been in a few squads.

“I’ve not got a cap and it would be a proud day for me and my family if I did.

“You earn international call-ups through good performances with your club and that’s the aim, to keep performing with Celtic.

“A lot of players are playing well and there is a lot of competition, so I just focus on my game and help the club.

“If that propels into the international set-up, that would be fantastic."