Champions League

Moussa Dembele part of Celtic squad to face AEK Athens

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 13 August 2018

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.