Tuesday 8 January 2019 08:03, UK
Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie says defeat in the Old Firm match before Christmas will motivate the side to "kick on" in the second half of the season.
Brendan Rodgers' side lost 1-0 to Rangers in the last match before the winter break leaving them level on points with the Gers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Speaking at Celtic's warm-weather training camp in Dubai, the midfielder told Sky Sports News the result will act as a spur for the rest of the campaign.
"Obviously on the day it was very frustrating," said Christie.
"To be fair to the manager he said after the game it was our first real taste of defeat against Rangers.
"So we need to learn from it, we need to make it a learning curve, and I think it's definitely helped give everybody the determination to really kick on again after the break.
"I think by now the game has really gone out of our heads and everyone's looking forward to the games coming thick and fast again.
The defending Champions are not having it all their own way this season with just three points separating the top four and Christie accepts the title race is going to be much tougher this time around.
"I think we knew that from the start of the season," he added. "It's not just Rangers, the whole league has been so competitive. There are definitely no easy games in the league this season.
"We know we have to be on top form and consistent from now until the end of the season if we want to win the league.
Celtic were beaten just four times in the league last season and they have already lost four times in the current campaign. But Christie denies they have stagnated after winning the league by nine points last year.
"I certainly don't think we've stagnated," he went on. "Like I said, I do think the quality and the rest of the teams have really stepped up this year.
"It has been a frustrating start and hopefully it's something we can put right towards the end of the season.
"That's when picking up the wins matters so hopefully from now until the end of the season we can put a real run of form together and pick up a lot of three points."
