I needed three forwards to replace Dembele – Rodgers

CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers admits he has had to sign three new forwards to finally replace Moussa Dembele.

Vakoun Issouf Bayo has become the Parkhead manager’s latest recruit after joining loan signings Oliver Burke and Timothy Weah in Dubai for the Scottish champions’ winter training camp.

The Hoops beat off competition from Parma and Rapid Vienna to land Ivory Coast striker Bayo in a reported £2m (€2.2m) move.

West Brom forward Burke and Paris Saint-Germain youngster Weah – son of former World Player of the Year George – will see out the season in Glasgow after sealing their own switches.

The new arrivals are a welcome boost for Rodgers after a frustrating first half of the season which saw main goal threat Odsonne Edouard struggle with injury and consistency, while Leigh Griffiths is taking time away from the game to concentrate on personal issues.

And Rodgers also admits his side have struggled to replace the power and speed that Dembele offered before he departed in a £19.7m move to Lyon last August.

But with three new options now available to him, Rodgers is confident his side have all the firepower they need as they look ahead to the second part of the campaign.

“We suffered a little bit when Moussa left in the summer, but I’m happy with these three,” Rodgers said.