Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers looking forward to winter break

Boss Brendan Rodgers stressed the importance of the January break for Celtic after their 2-1 win over Dundee on Saturday re-established their 11-point lead at the top of the Premiership table.

In the midst of a trying nine-game December, the Hoops boss made five changes to his side - one enforced due to the suspension of skipper Scott Brown.

Goals from striker Leigh Griffiths and midfielder Nir Bitton were enough to fend off Marcus Haber's counter for the visitors who might have nicked a point at the end if substitute Faissal El -Bakhataoui had not blasted over the bar when through on goal.

The champions, who are unbeaten in 20 domestic games this season, prepare for the visit of Partick Thistle on Tuesday where more changes are promised by Rodgers and they will finish the year with a game against second-placed Rangers at Ibrox on Hogmanay before a three week break.

Rodgers is looking forward to taking and replenishing stock during that period.

He said: "I know every club is different but for us it is absolutely massive. It will be a welcome break for us.

"One, to recover the body and the mind and to prepare for second part of the season and in that period reflect on how the first part of the season has gone to look at the areas where we can do better.

"And then obviously maybe add one or two signings to come in and then really kick on in the second part of the season.

"The players have been phenomenal in their work, they are performing really well."

Griffiths, who has played second-fiddle to Moussa Dembele for large parts of the season, started and scored in his third consecutive game to take his tally for the season to 12.

The Scotland striker said: "I am in the team to score goals and help the team get three points and if I continue to do that I will be happy to stay in the team.

"But the decision rests with the gaffer in who decides to play, regardless of whether it is me or Moussa, we are always guaranteed to score goals.

"It is just about me keeping that jersey off him or if the gaffer can get us both in the team so be it."

Dembele's form has shaded in recent weeks but he thanked his team-mates and the Celtic fans after winning the prestigious Trophee de l'Espoir Francais, run by popular French TV show Telefoot.

In an online poll, which recognises the best French Under-21 footballer, the 20-year-old came out on top with 37 per cent of the vote, fending off competition from the likes of PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot, Manchester United forward Anthony Martial and Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman.

Dembele has scored 17 times for Celtic since joining from Fulham in the summer and four goals in four games for France Under-21s.

He told the official Celtic website: "It's great. The supporters have always been behind not only me but every Celtic player, and it's great for me and them to have these fans backing us.

"We have won this all together. I am on the pitch scoring goals but behind me there are 10 players and then there are those on the bench and those in the rest of the squad."

Dundee boss Paul Hartley was pleased with the way his side, who remain in 10th place one point ahead of bottom side Partick Thistle, responded to going two goals behind at Parkhead.

He said: "No one gave us a chance and when you go 2-0 down, a lot of teams would fold but we didn't, we kept at it.

"When you go 2-0 down you think it could three, four or five but they kept going.

"We have important games coming up before the winter break and hopefully we can get as many points as we can. I don't feel we are too far off."