Celtic skipper Scott Brown has insisted that the Parkhead side will be back stronger and hungrier at the end of January.

Brendan Rodgers’ side head out to Dubai this weekend for their mini pre-season, but the players have all benefitted from a week off with their families since last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Rangers.

And while Brown is looking forward to getting a bit of sun on his back, he has insisted that it will not be an easy ride next week as the club look to return for the latter half of the season in peak condition.

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“We aren’t going out there just to sit with our feet up,” said Brown. “There will be double sessions and we will be working hard, you can be sure of that.

“It is about making sure that we come back ready to kick on again.

“It has been a demanding run of games and there were some of us who had only a week off at the end of last season because of international commitments so the break should let us get over all the wee knocks and bumps that we all carry.

“But we won’t be out in Dubai looking to take it easy. We will have a chance to get some respite but the gaffer will make sure that we are being put through our paces.”

And the Celtic captain has vowed that the Parkhead side are ready to repeat the feats of last season.

For all that it was a disjointed December for Rodgers’ side, Celtic remain in sight of completing a back-to-back Treble.

Brown is wary of looking too far ahead but has maintained that the appetite at the club has not been dulled.

“We like to do our talking on the pitch so we don’t want to be saying we will be doing this or that,” he said. “But we are pleased with the way it has gone so far.

“Getting the Europa League was a boost for us and that is something for everyone at the club to look forward to. We also have the League Cup in the cabinet but it is always about what is coming next.

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“It has been a decent start to the season and we want to pick it up a bit now. Overall we have to be pleased with what we have achieved but it is about making sure that we are ready to come back and hit the ground running again.”

The Parkhead side completed a deal for St Mirren’s Lewis Morgan yesterday, the second signing after the addition of veteran defender Marvin Compper.

The £300k deal for the 21-year-old will see the player – who netted his 13th goal of the season against Morton on Tuesday night – stay at St Mirren in a loan capacity in order to aid the Paisley side with their promotion push.