Moussa Dembele had a dramatic end to the transfer window. That wasn’t altogether odd for the footballer, given he’d been through several deadline rumour dramas during his time at Celtic.
What changed this time is a move actually happening, and an exciting one at that. Lyon agreed a fee with a much pressured Celtic and Dembele was able to leave the Scottish Premiership for France’s Ligue 1.
It’s supposed to be all part of a wider plan to get into Didier Deschamps’ France squad, with interest heightening since the World Cup triumph in Russia.
Falling out with Brendan Rodgers probably wasn’t the way to go about things and if Dembele felt it was absolutely essential to force his Celtic exit then he’s had time to put things right publicly.
Right now, the striker is with France’s U21 squad and there had been some worry his head would frazzled after the soap opera.
Friday’s L’Equipe says he’s lived ‘rough’ days but is still expected to start tonight. The French newspaper states that after Celtic’s win over Rangers, Dembele ‘was discussed at a press conference by Brendan Rodgers in less than laudatory terms’.
Obviously coming down on the side of the player, U21 coach Sylvain Ripoll is quoted as saying the player is “strong enough” not to let it “worry” him.
Brave Moussa.
