MX23RW : Saturday, December 21 07:14:58| >> :120:63967:63967:

Moussa Dembele part of Celtic squad to face AEK Athens

Dembele part of Celtic squad to face AEK
© Reuters
Moussa Dembele is part of Celtic's squad to face AEK Athens in their Champions League third-round qualifier, but he is not fit enough to start the match.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that striker Moussa Dembele could play a part in Tuesday evening's Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens.

The 22-year-old picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-0 home win over Alashkert in the first qualifying round and has not featured since.

Following nearly a month on the sidelines, however, Dembele has travelled with the rest of his teammates to the Greek capital and will start the match on the bench.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg of the third-round qualifier, which is delicately poised at 1-1, Rodgers said: "It's a big boost for us. He started the season fantastically well and was unfortunate he got his injury.

"But he has worked very hard to come back and will take his place in the squad. It is probably too much to start, he will take his place on the bench.

"He has looked very fit and strong and the beauty with Moussa is he wants to play, he wants to be involved. It is too much of a risk to start but I am sure at some point in the game he will play a part."

French striker Dembele scored 16 goals in 39 appearances last season.

ID:333406: cacheID:333406:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2330:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Motherwell on May 19, 2018
Read Next:
Dembele out for up to three weeks
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Texans
@
Chiefs
9.30pm
Steelers
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock184681935-1618
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!