I don’t think it has ever been in dispute that this season we have seen a pretty poor Rangers side.

But what I would say is that it despite that, it has not resulted in any dilution of Celtic’s ambitions this season – and that is the right way to go about things.

In days gone by it might well have been a fair accusation to say that Celtic were guilty of standing still when they were in a position of strength.

Whatever criticisms you might have of the club, that cannot be one of them this season. Not only did they push the boat out to go and get Brendan Rodgers who, in a short space of time has already shown that he was worth every penny it took to get him here, but they also tweaked the wage to bring in guys like Moussa Demeble and Scott Sinclair.

It is no coincidence that these have been the two big performers for Celtic so far this season.

The latest chapter of the club’s development is the plans we say this week to build a hotel with a museum and some restaurants at Celtic Park and it is an indication of how successful the club have been in marrying events off the park with what goes on it.

Celtic have been a club that has been expertly run in the boardroom. Dermot Desmond, from underwriting share issues, to getting Rodgers into the club has overseen the stability while I think in Peter Lawwell you could not get a better chief executive in Britain at any other football club.

Between those two and Rodgers, Celtic have laid the foundations for the next chapter at Celtic and it is right that they should enjoy it.

Yes, when Martin O’Neill says that this current Rangers is the poorest in living memory, I don’t think too many people would quibble with it. However, all you can say is that as a club Celtic have concentrated on doing the very best that they could do despite that.

They have not allowed themselves to be distracted by anything elsewhere. I understand that Scottish football is not as strong as it could be and I have said often that a strong Rangers is the best thing for the league.

But you also have to be willing to give credit to the way that Celtic have gone about their business. They have the right infrastructure at the back of them to get it right on the pitch as we have seen this season.

It is not easy to grind out win after win – 20 successive league wins takes some doing no matter what level you are playing at – and I think what has pleased the Celtic support is that this is not a club who have been seen to stand still.

There are ambitions to lead the club forward and into a new era off the pitch with the things that are set to be put in place around the club and then you have a team on the park, crucially, who look as though they are setting the foundations for a success spell on it.

It really isn’t Celtic’s problem what goes on elsewhere. All they can do is look after themselves and I think they have done that and done it well.

The money generated from the Champions League will be re-invested and the hope is that if Celtic can maintain involvement in the competition at group level then it keeps them in this position financially.

There is a good vibe about Celtic now and you can sense that around the club.

Moussa Dembele’s agent has come out and said all the right things this week about him wanting to stay at the club for the duration of his contract and while I suspect that might not happen, what it does show is an indication of just how settled it is.

It also welcoming to hear that his agent is not agitating for a quick move and a quick buck. He is happy to play the long game and allow the boy to develop at Celtic and there is no doubt in my mind that Dembele can leave Celtic a legend.

The longer he stays the more likely that he will find himself elevated into the kind of company of Henrik Larsson and Kenny Dalglish – I honestly believe he has that level of ability.

Of course, that kind of status takes time to establish but I believe that he is a player capable going on to play at the very top level of the game.

It is fantastic to hear that not only does he have his head screwed on but that the guys who a representing him have their feet on the ground and his best interests to heart.