Celtic legend John Hartson believes the Hoops need to get their focus back, both mentally and physically, during the winter break in Dubai.

Brendan Rodgers side are still at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, but have not been as dominant as the last couple of seasons under the Ulsterman.




The Hoops lost 1-0 to Rangers in the Glasgow derby on Saturday and it was Celtic’s first defeat against their arch-rivals in more than two years.

Hartson feels the manner of Celtic’s defeat against Rangers means the Hoops need to buck up to perform better in the second half of the season.
 


The former striker pointed out that players like Dedryck Boyata looked nervous in the game against Rangers and the break is the ideal opportunity to get everyone’s focus back.

“He [Boyata] looked nervous on the ball, couldn’t pass it two feet in front of him and was all over the place. As I have said, he was not alone on that front”, Hartson wrote in his column for the Evening Times.
 

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“It is the first time since Brendan Rodgers has arrived at Celtic that you could say they looked nervous and intimidated in a league game.

“Like I say, he wasn’t alone. But this break in Dubai needs to be used to get everyone properly back – and that means focused as much mentally as being prepared physically.

“I still feel confident that Celtic will go on and win the league but you have to back up that conviction with a certain level of performance.”

Celtic will return to competitive action when they take on Airdrieonians in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on 19th January.