CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers admits he is expecting changes to his squad during the January transfer window, but has rejected the suggestion that Moussa Dembele is set for a move to Brighton.

The French striker has been linked with a switch to the English Premier League outfit recently and was substituted during the second half of Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Rangers at Celtic Park.

But the Northern Irishman said he had not even considered if it could be Dembele’s final appearance in a Hoops shirt, before defending his player'sperformance against the Light Blues.

Read more: 'Frank exchange of views' at half time helped Rangers turn the tide against Celtic - Graeme Murty

"It's not something that I've even thought of," he told BBC Scotland. "We've had nothing for any player.

"Collectively we are a team. It's not just in isolation one player. We have a responsibility to get it into our front players with a bit more quality.

“Just one of them games when we didn't have too many opportunities but his physicality was important for us.”

When asked if he expected to see new arrivals when the transfer window re-opens next month, Rodgers said: "I suspect so. There are probably some players that'll go out, that'll want to play games and obviously of course January's a month where you like to strengthen as well so I'm sure there'll be something done."

Rodgers admitted he is happy to get some time off as his side enter a three-week winter break period.

"There's no doubt getting to this point of the season, we need that recovery to get that freshness back into the legs again," he said.

"We'll get away, we'll recover now, we'll work very, very hard when we get away and we'll be back for the second part of the season fresher and better."

The Hoops were the dominant side in the first half against Rangers, but required two superb saves from goalkeeper Craig Gordon in the second half to keep the score level.

The former Liverpool and Swansea City boss believes that a draw was a fair result at the end of a compelling 90 minutes that saw gilt-edged chances fall at both ends.

Read more: 'Frank exchange of views' at half time helped Rangers turn the tide against Celtic - Graeme Murty

"First half we had created the better chances in the game, and some of the opportunities - how we didn't score them,” he said.

"It made it a wee bit difficult for us in the second half. If we score that first goal then of course it can really change the mentality in the game so we didn't quite get that.

"And then second half we had to defend a little bit more than what he had in the first half. They didn't create virtually anything in the first half but second half they had a couple of chances - one half-chance and one real, real good chance that Craig Gordon makes a great save from.

"So probably a point apiece is what both teams deserve.

"It's a great credit to the players that after our game against Hearts, it's the fourth clean sheet in a row and they've showed a great mentality - okay, you can't win then you certainly don't lose it and that's a resilience and a resolve that the players clearly have."