Brendan Rodgers is happy with how Celtic are progressing and he believes more improvement will be seen following the season-opening win away at Hearts on Sunday.

Celtic, who will play Hapoel Be’er Sheva for a place in the Champions League group stage, started their title defence with a decent 2-1 victory at Tynecastle Stadium.

Scotland international James Forrest opened the scoring for the visitors after just eight minutes but the scores were level at half-time when Jamie Walker converted from the penalty spot.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw until new arrival Scott Sinclair, who joined from Championship outfit Aston Villa, found the back of the net eight minutes from time.

It was a brilliant introduction for the English winger and he will be hoping to earn a starting spot for the League Cup tie at home to Motherwell on Wednesday.

Ivorian Kolo Toure, who was signed on a free following his release from Liverpool, made his full debut for the Bhoys and the defender put in a steady display at the back.

Rodgers was happy to pick up the three points and he believes the team are starting to gel and understand his footballing philosophy.

“Hopefully people are starting to see a trend,” he said.

“There is a mentality in the team. The football will come later.”

Rodgers also gave special praise to Sinclair and the manager believes the 27-year-old will become an integral part of the team when he gets up to full speed.

“I think he will be really big for us,” the former Liverpool boss added.

“He knows he had to get his career going again, because it stalled a little bit.”