Five things we've learned ahead of Celtic's festive fixtures against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and Rangers at Ibrox

Psychologically, however, triumphing in both of the away fixtures before the winter shutdown will be important for the Parkhead club in their bid to land an eighth consecutive Scottish title.

Win them, and Brendan Rodgers’s team will reassert their superiority over their two nearest rivals in the top flight table and extend their lead.

Lose them, and their advantage will be reduced, possibly even overhauled, and they will also give the second and third-placed sides in the division the belief they can be edged out in the second-half of the 2018/19 campaign.

But the defending champions will certainly go into the games in a positive frame of mind following their 3-0 victory over struggling and understrength Dundee in Glasgow on Saturday.

So, what did we learn from Celtic’s final outing before these two festive crackers? And what can we expect from them against Aberdeen and Rangers?

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Mikey Johnston, who started up front at the weekend in the absence of both Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths, and Anthony Ralston, who was given the nod ahead of Cristian Gamboa at right back with Mikael Lustig still missing, probably won’t kick off the games this week.

Both Edouard, who suffered an abductor strain against Motherwell last Wednesday night, and Lustig, who sustained a concussion in the Europa League match with Salzburg the previous Thursday, are expected to return along with Kieran Tierney.

Neither of the academy graduates, though, did their chances of getting game time in future any harm at all with their individual displays. Johnston, in particular, impressed despite playing out of position up front. The winger scored twice and could quite easily have claimed a hat-trick. Considering he had only netted his first goal in the senior game three days earlier, it was an impressive contribution.

Ralston, too, won many admirers with his showing. He was reliable defensively, albeit against limited rivals, and posed a serious threat going forward. He was unfortunate not to add his name to the scoresheet late on when he struck the inside of the post with a shot.

The sizeable Scottish contingent in the Celtic team has been instrumental to their success in recent years. Could these academy products increase it further in future? It is possible. The duo’s confidence will certainly have been lifted by the run-outs.

There is much excitement and conjecture about who Rodgers will bring in during the January transfer window. But the Motherwell and Dundee games were a timely reminder that there is considerable merit in giving youth a chance.

RYAN CHRISTIE HAS RECOVERED

The sight of the Scotland midfielder, who has been outstanding for Celtic since coming on at half-time in the Betfred Cup semi-final against Hearts at Murrayfield back in October, being stretchered off with his head in his hands against Salzburg earlier this month was an alarming one for supporters.

Christie, though, has made a rapid recovery from an ankle injury that wasn’t as serious as first feared. He returned to the fray when he replaced James Forrest at the weekend and showed in the half an hour he was on the park he has lost little if any of his fitness and sharpness. He set up Filip Benkovic for the third goal when he forced a save from Jack Hamilton.

Expect him – provided, that is, there is no adverse reaction to his comeback - to start against both his former club Aberdeen and Rangers in the coming days.

TOM ROGIC WILL BE MISSED AGAINST RANGERS

The presence of the Australian playmaker at Pittodrie on Boxing Day will cause the hearts of Aberdeen supporters to sink. He has an excellent track record against Derek McInnes’s men. Indeed, two seasons ago he scored in no fewer than four games against them, including in the William Hill Scottish Cup final.

Yes, the No.10 had an off night, to put it mildly, against Salzburg. And, yes, he had been out of action with a knee injury for nine days before the Dundee match. But he showed at the weekend the lay-off had, if anything, revitalised him. He was heavily involved in many of his side’s best attacking moves.

Rogic will, however, fly out to the United Arab Emirates after the Aberdeen game to represent the Socceroos in the Asian Cup and will miss the trip to Ibrox. He has been exceptional in the Glasgow derby match in the past too. The outing on Saturday underlined he will be a huge loss to his team.

DUNDEE NEED A WIN

The four game unbeaten run Jim McIntyre’s side went on in early November gave them hope they could avoid relegation. Consecutive defeats to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Celtic, though, have seen them drop to the bottom of the Premiership once again. Those matches, against three of the best teams in the country, were all away from home.

But with St Mirren defeating Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday to move ahead of them they desperately requite a victory against Livingston at Dens Park on Boxing Day or St Johnstone at home on Saturday to arrest their slide. McIntyre will be hoping the return of injured players in the coming days aids their cause.

KENNY MILLER IS EVERGREEN

That may not be the best word to describe a player who was, due to the fact that he signed for Rangers not once but twice after playing for Celtic, booed by the home support when he came on for Dundee in the second-half at Parkhead.

But to be playing and scoring goals in the Premiership at Miller’s age – he turned 39 yesterday – shows quite remarkable longevity.