BRENDAN Rodgers last night claimed that back-to-back wins over Partick Thistle and Aberdeen last week have proved his Celtic team hasn’t been “found out” following their defeat to Hearts.

The Parkhead club’s record-breaking 69 game unbeaten domestic run came to an end in a Ladbrokes Premiership game at Tynecastle nine days ago when they crashed to a humiliating 4-0 loss.

The heavy defeat led to suggestions the Glasgow club, who struggled to cope with their opponents’ high-pressing style of play in the capital, had become too predictable in their approach to matches.

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It also resulted in predictions that more teams could overcome the Scottish champions if they adopted the same ambitious game plan as Craig Levein’s team.

But Rodgers, whose side moved eight points clear at the top of the Premiership table as a result of their 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Celtic Park on Saturday, dismissed those claims.

The Northern Irishman, speaking ahead of the league game with Dundee at Dens Park early this afternoon, is hopeful his side can perform better in the second half of the 2017/18 campaign.

“We have faced everything,” he said after taking a Christmas Day training session at Celtic Park last night. “When we lost to Hearts, it was because Hearts deserved to win the game.

“We haven’t been good in some games, we have been very good games, so over this run that (Hearts) wasn’t the first time teams have tried to press us. We’ve had it a number of times. That day, we just couldn’t find the solution. It is a tribute to these players of how they got over that disappointment. We always have to improve and will do in the second half of the season.”

Rodgers has targeted a double digit lead by the time the winter break starts after the Dundee match today and the Rangers game at Celtic Park on Saturday.

However, he stressed he wouldn’t be concerned if the Parkhead club failed to achieved their goal if they continued to perform at the same high level in their next two matches.

“I think we were 19 points in front going into the break last year,” he said. “ I am not going to cry if we’re not, but if we get into a position where we have a double-digit lead then I think the players would deserve a huge amount of credit.

“Whatever the lead is, to play the number of games we have and to do so at such an intensity, it’s been really phenomenal.”