Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DEMBELE EYES EXIT AT CELTIC
CHRIS DAVIES last night admitted Celtic have accepted Moussa Dembele is eyeing up a move away from Parkhead.
The Hoops’ assistant boss insisted there has been no firm bid for the in-demand hitman but several clubs in England remain in the hunt despite Brighton cooling their interest.
Everton and Crystal Palace have been keeping tabs and Davies admitted it may be difficult to persuade the France under 21 star to stay.
Celts boss Brendan Rodgers revealed at the weekend Dembele was left out against Brechin City as his head was not right amid the uncertainty over his future.
Twelve months ago the Parkhead manager was adamant his star striker would remain at the club but he has not been able to guarantee keeping him beyond the January window this year.
Davis revealed it is down to a change in heart from the player who now has his sights on a move.
He said: “I think time has gone on and obviously there has been interest in him.
“It’s a feeling now that, of course he’s our player and we’re happy for him to be here – and we know what he can do. But there is also an acceptance that maybe Moussa feels it is the right time for him to move on.
“And when a player feels that way then there is not an awful lot of point in stopping them – unless you really have to. So that’s kind of how it’s evolved.
“I don’t think Moussa is desperate to leave. The situation is where it is.
“But nothing has actually happened yet, it’s been speculation.
“Here we are with nine or 10 days to go and there’s been no formal bid. So we can only take it like that – and possibly stop focusing on that situation so much.”
The 21-year-old is in the frame to play tonight and Leigh Griffiths is also fit again after sitting out the weekend Scottish Cup win. Davies said: “It’s in a good place. We’re calm either way and we’re really focusing on the players that are available.”