ASK the question about who has made Celtic tick this season and three names would spring quickly to mind; Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota and Callum McGregor.

The trio have been pivotal to Ange Postecoglou’s vision and philosophy but over this month as hamstrings have pinged with alarming regularity it has been notable just how much responsibility Tom Rogic has taken on board.

The Australian internationalist has the grace and craft to open up any game and, on his day, is arguably the most naturally talented footballer in Scotland. His most memorable season for Celtic will forever remain the Invincibles campaign when he sealed his name into club folklore as a flash of lightning lit up Hampden Park in monsoon conditions.

If that goal was special, so too was his season. There were 12 goals that term and six assists yet his stats under Ange Postecoglou show just how influential he has been. The three goals so far do not tell the full story but rather the eight assists he has claimed at the halfway stage of the campaign pointing to just where his presence has been felt.

There were two assists from Rogic as Celtic signed off for the winter break with a fairly comfortable win over struggling St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park and there remains a feeling that Postecoglou, who worked with the midfielder as Socceroos manager, has got the best out of the 29-year-old.

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou's Celtic Q+A in full: Kyogo injury update and hating playing in empty stadia 

Certainly, there is a feeling that this could be one of the most consistent for Celtic. That may cause further consternation given that his international commitments will likely usurp his availability for the Parkhead side for the midweek February meeting with Rangers, a game that has the potential to blow the title race wide open.

By the time that Celtic get to that stage, though, they ought to be in better shape than they are at the minute in terms of bodies available. With players set to come back from injury – Christopher Jullien will be expected to reappear after more than a calendar year out with a ligament injury – and further players set to be introduced into the squad in the window, Celtic will be stronger as the season goes deeper.

But there is a feeling that they needed the break to come around. Empty stadia do little for anyone given the soulless atmosphere of games played out in front of cavernous stands and it was an act of common sense to bring the break forward. It also offers Celtic the chance not to take stock of the opening half of the season with Postecoglou allowed to catch his breath after he was thrown straight into a frantic start.

The first silverware of the season has been banked but Celtic will have their eyes on bigger prizes. What takes place over the next few weeks will determine just how strong their hand is as they look to reclaim the mantle of champions.