Celtic assistant manager Chris Davies says the togetherness of the squad will define how they bounce back from a first domestic defeat under Brendan Rodgers.

The Hoops were thumped 4-0 by Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday, ending a 69-game sequence without defeat stretching back to the tail-end of Ronny Deila’s tenure. Rodgers admitted Celtic were not good enough in any area on Sunday but the defensive side of his team’s game has once more been placed under the microscope following their setback in Edinburgh. Celtic are back in action against Partick Thistle on Wednesday evening at Parkhead and Davies is backing the squad to remain united and come back stronger.

“If you watch us when we win a trophy at Hampden, the manager gets everyone on to the podium,” Davies said. “He gets the kit guys and the players who aren’t in the squad, he rounds up as many people as [he] can and they stand on the podium together and we are all up there and celebrating the victory and success together. That’s our culture. “The reason it happens is that we also share the setbacks together – we never say it’s so-and-so’s fault and point fingers at certain areas.

The strength of our group is our spirit and that’s what has defined us.” Celtic are believed to be on the verge of completing a deal to sign RB Leipzig defender Marvin Compper and Davies admits that strengthening the squad is something they are always keen to do, though he also believes the current squad will deal with any criticism they receive.

“Of course, we are looking at recruitment and where we can strengthen all over the pitch, but that isn’t our only priority, and we certainly support everyone who played in the game for us at the weekend,” he added. “You play at a big club you are going to be under scrutiny. The expectations here are huge and rightly so, and they can deal with that expectancy.”

Celtic are price-boosted to 7.00 to beat Partick Thistle 3-0 on Wednesday.