While Celtic's season is not yet fully defined, Brendan Rodgers still has the right to allow himself a moment of satisfaction as the previous year comes to a close.
Twelve months ago, the Northern Irishman's Parkhead sequel lacked the box office appeal of its first campaign.
Saddled with a string of disappointing summer signings, the manager lost a domestic cup tie in Scotland for the first time, at Kilmarnock, and racked up a series of Champions League hard-luck stories.
In the Premiership, his team failed to beat St Johnstone, Hibs and Motherwell. When another defeat to Killie was followed by a setback against Hearts in December, poor Santa Claus even received a slap on the neck from his irate fans.
Had it not been for the Rangers' dismal start under Michael Beale, Rodgers' chances of winning the title would have diminished quickly. While Celtic finished 2023 with a precious victory over the men from Ibrox, the start of the New Year found them with plenty of room for improvement. This challenge was met head-on.
Despite bringing in only Adam Idah (initially on loan) and Nicolas Kuhn in January, Rodgers presided over the much-needed improvement in results.
Rodgers lifts the nod after his team's 4-0 win over Motherwell
Reo Hatate put the seal on a comfortable evening with the fourth goal at Celtic Park
Record signing Arne Engels opened the scoring from the penalty spot
The only defeat they suffered in 22 matches in all competitions before the summer came in controversial circumstances at Tynecastle on 3 March.
As they wrapped up the league and cup double, the chasing group's concern was that a summer restart would make a repeat of that lax start to the campaign unlikely.
Belatedly enjoying the full backing of his board, Rodgers was able to break the club's transfer record twice in one window to land Idah permanently and Arne Engels.
With Kasper Schmeichel, Luke McCowan, Alex Valle and Auston Trusty also on board, plus the assured return of Paulo Bernardo, Celtic have gone up a level since then.
Rodgers' side have five more points than they had acquired after 17 games last season, the only points being draws with Aberdeen and Dundee United. Only four goals have been conceded in that sequence, compared to 12 at this point last year. The League Cup is under lock and key again. Performances in the Champions League have turned into nine points and a golden opportunity to advance to the play-off round.
Remarkably, since that defeat at Gorgie almost 10 months ago, the only other defeat Celtic have suffered came on that dark night in Dortmund.
By any possible standard, 2024 has been a very good year for the team and its coach.
“This time last year we had lost a couple of games and maybe tied three,” Rodgers recalled.
'I really can't have too many complaints. The other day I heard someone say that there is no reason to panic.
Rodgers has had a wonderful year during which his team has only lost twice.
Engels takes the penalty that put Celtic on their way to a 4-0 victory over Motherwell
Maeda celebrates with Scales after nodding in the second goal on Boxing Day
'That was an interesting question. Some of the fans said that there is no reason to panic because we tied a game.
'Up to this point this year, the players have been absolutely fantastic, having only lost two games (in 2024).
“One of them went with 10 men and then another against the Champions League finalist.
'Apart from that, the players' mentality, their concentration and their drive have been relentless. “We want to finish 2024 in a really good way and the players have been excellent.”
It says a lot about the team's improvement that the record-breaking sale of star Matt O'Riley to Brighton now barely merits a mention.
With the components he wanted, Rodgers built another winning machine.
Schmeichel has filled the void created by Joe Hart's retirement. Trusty looks like a £6m centre-back. Kuhn is now fit, shooting and scoring for fun. McCowan and Idah give the team real depth.
The team now creates more chances than before and gives up far fewer at the other end.
“It's always the balance of identity,” Rodgers reflected. “I think it's been a very nice aspect for me as a team. I like a team that adapts and can play in all phases of the game.
“This is a team that, as you have seen, can press, can be aggressive, can be relentless within that. There are also times when they can play on the counterattack. There are also times when they can defend a little bit deeper and be determined.
Nicolas Kuhn scored the third goal after coming on as a substitute
The German star is congratulated by his teammates Maeda and Furuhashi
Engels happily opened the scoring from the penalty spot just before the break.
'And then there are the games where we can really dominate and create. So I think that's been a nice aspect during 2024, the adaptability of the team to play in different phases of the game.
'Our intention is always to create goals and score goals. But that is also achieved through your defensive rigidity, your organization and your pressure. “As a team, the balance has been really good.”
No player represents the team's evolution over 12 months better than Kuhn.
Although the winger arrived in Scotland with health problems, in his early forays he showed little to suggest he could make such an eye-opening contribution.
After missing last Sunday's draw at Tannadice with a knee problem, he came off the bench against Motherwell to score his 13th goal of the season.
With every passing week, Celtic paid £3m to Rapid Vienna for the German and it looks like an extraordinary deal.
“It's nice to pick up where I left off,” said the 24-year-old. “I just tried to continue how I started this season and I was happy to get the goal.
'I don't really set goals. “The most important thing for me is to stay fit after a full preseason with the team.”
Kuhn, a young player with enormous potential, is classic Rodgers territory. Engels falls into the same category.
Following an £11m signing from Augsburg, expectations surrounding the Belgian are incredibly high.
His performance against Motherwell, which involved a converted penalty and a corner that led to Daizen Maeda's goal, suggested his recent dip in form is now behind him.
“I think it's always good to help the team,” said the 21-year-old. 'That's why I'm here. That's why we're all here, to help the team win.
'Everyone knows you have to perform here. Everyone is pushing each other. So it is a very nice competition for the team and that also helps us perform in each game.
'I think we have already shown that we are in a good place.
“Now it's up to us to stay focused and keep working on the next game.”
St Johnstone, last in the table after taking just one point from a possible 15, will travel to Celtic Park on Sunday more with the hope than the expectation of ending the year with a surprising result.
The Perth men will benefit from the fact they were the first team in the league to take a point off Rodgers' side last season. But now it seems like that belongs to a different era.
“The onus is on us,” Rodgers emphasized.
“We want to impose our way, bring freshness and finish the year really well.”