Celtic support unrivalled when everyone is on the same page - Brendan Rodgers

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has finally got a full squad to choose from but he feels having supporters back on board has been another key aspect to his side's improvement.

The return of Daizen Maeda from a hamstring problem ensures Rodgers has maximum numbers for Saturday's visit of Hearts after missing the likes of Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers for spells this season.

But Rodgers highlighted the importance of the backing from 60,000 fans in the stands in getting back top of the Premiership, having previously let a seven-point lead over Rangers slip.

Rodgers' return to replace Ange Postecoglou was not universally welcomed and the Green Brigade fan group, who provide much of the atmosphere at Celtic Park, were banned for a spell earlier this season.

But the former Leicester boss has felt more unity recently and, with Celtic playing at home in three of their last four league games, he believes the fans will be crucial.

"They'll play a huge part," said Rodgers, whose side lead the way by three points and five goals. "That's been the difference in the last few months, I think they've been what's helped keep things connected.

"That support they give to the team, it's unrivalled when everyone's onside and they're with us. To have that in a few of the last few games at home will be special."

Asked to explain the difference, Rodgers said: "Everyone is now focused on football. It felt like there were a lot of distractions in the first six months of the season in various ways.

"Once the focus has really come into football and everyone really being together - that makes a huge difference.

"The players feel that too. This is such an incredible fanbase here and it's an extension to the team and staff. When they get behind us, as we've seen in the last few months, you see the strength in that unity of everyone moving forward.

"That for me, from a managerial perspective, has been the real catalyst."

The 51-year-old added: "I think there was a lot of settling in, a lot of adjustment in me coming back, talk about 'how long is he going to be here?'

"There was Ange leaving after two successful seasons. You lose one manager and another comes in that some people don't want in.

"There is all that settling going on, then, obviously the principal difference in the performance levels has been the unavailability of players.

"That's been the main difference at times when maybe the team hasn't played at the tempo or style you want. We've missed players that give a dynamism and directness to this team. All of that thrown into the pot made it a little fragmented.

"But as time has gone on and everything has settled, the team has picked up important results and performances.

"We are now at the stage when it all comes together and I would say this is the most settled we've been."

Although he has a full squad, Rodgers admitted McGregor has not quite got back to peak fitness since returning from an Achilles problem. The captain has played for about an hour of Celtic's last two games following two substitute appearances.

"It's just a case of trying to get him to as near a level as he can be at," Rodgers said.

"We have been managing him and I have seen a difference in him this week to be honest.

"He has been doing a lot of work in the last couple of weeks on strengthening his Achilles. That left him a little bit leggy, I would say, in the games.

"But we have cut a lot of that out this week. He has looked a lot lighter on his feet, a lot fresher.

"He is not quite where he was earlier in the season but he certainly looks in a much better place."

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