Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers aims to improve on record-breaking attack

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes his side are well-prepared for their title defence, but he is still keen to improve on the attacking side of their game.

The squad is back in Scotland after participating in the Como Cup and counting down to raising the Premiership flag on Sunday ahead of their season opener against St Mirren.

Rodgers says their work has gone well over the summer, and they are now eagerly anticipating the new season.

“Preparations have gone really, really well,” he told Sky Sports. “We’ve worked hard with the team, travelled and played some high-quality games.

“Now we finish the preparations this week and look forward to the game at the weekend.”

Last season saw the team win a fourth consecutive title as well as the Premier Sports Cup, and also take huge strides forward in the Champions League after progressing from the new-look League Phase to the knock-out rounds.

That success came thanks to 159 goals in competitive games, a record for the 21st century and the most from any Celtic side since the Jock Stein era.

Celtic have already signed winger Benjamin Nygren and strikers Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand, but have been linked with a number of attacking players with a month still to go in the transfer window.

Rodgers wants to build on that goal-laden season and says there are different ways that can be done.

“For us, it’s tweaks,” he said. “Obviously last year we scored the most amount of goals in 50-odd years from any Celtic team.

“That shows you things were very good with the team, but clearly you want to improve this season.

“The attacking department will always be the strength of my team so whether it’s through tactical ideas or players, it’s an area we always want to improve on.”

Rodgers has indicated that Osmand has been signed as “one for the future” and is keen to make further signings.

The club have made bids for Go Ahead Eagles winger Jakob Breum and the manager has pointed out that key players who have left, including Nicolas Kuhn, need replaced.

“We still have work to do in the market,” Rodgers said. “But I’m really excited and the focus is on players here who have been working well.

“Hopefully by the end of the month we’ll be a stronger squad.

“We hope this week there might be some news but coaches and the transfer market don’t always work at the same pace.

“Coaches want a player in immediately but the market doesn’t always work like that. A lot goes into it.

“It’s also the reason for pre-season. You want your team together as quick as you can so you can get work in and get the togetherness and the spirit formed.

“But we know that traditionally it can be a challenge.

“We’ve lost key players and we want to replace those as quick as we can in order to keep developing.

“I’m hopeful that we can do that.”