Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CELTIC WIN 4-1 ON AGGREGATE EASY-LEE DOES IT..
Griffiths sets Celtic on way as two men arrive
CELTIC are set to complete a deadline day double deal for Filip Benkovic and Youssouf Mulumbu.
And, after booking a £10million spot in the group stages of the Europa League, Brendan Rodgers last night insisted he is confident that Moussa Dembele will still be at Parkhead when the window slams shut tonight after an £18million bid from Lyon was booted out.
Rodgers saw his side sink FK Suduva – thanks to a first half free kick from Leigh
Griffiths (right) and second half strikes from Conor
Mcgregor and
Kris Ajer – before confirming two likely additions to his squad.
Benkovic was at Parkhead for the tie against the Lithuanians to have talks over a loan deal from Leicester City.
The Croatian defender signed for the Foxes in a £13million switch just three weeks ago but the 21-year-old is not deemed ready for regular action and manager Claude Puel is sending him out.
Rodgers reckons a deal can be done and said: “He’s a young guy with a bright future at Leicester but we’ll, hopefully, take him on loan and develop his game.
“He is a big threat in both boxes, a big presence, and that’s something I think the team needs.”
Mulumbu, 31, was also at Parkhead prior to the tie for talks and is on the verge of a two-year deal.
The midfielder, who impressed at Kilmarnock last season, has been on the market since the end of last term and had interest from Championship Swansea City and French side Bordeaux.
But Rodgers has got him and added: “What I’ve been after over the course of the summer was a number eight, a strong running and aggressive midfield player.
“For us to get someone of that experience and quality is great.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, believes Dembele will be staying.
The French youngster is wanted by Lyon and is hugely interested in the switch, with a personal package already agreed between his advisors and the Ligue 1 outfit.
However, Celtic are refusing to budge and have kicked out an £18million plus add-ons bid.
Dembele’s representatives were at Parkhead for more talks with Celtic hierarchy last night as the hitman wants to make the big move but Rodgers is defiant that nothing will happen unless he finds cover.
He said: “We don’t want Moussa to go and I can’t see it happening.
“The club has had a significant offer, it’s been ongoing for a couple of days and we’ve taken Moussa out of it.
“We understand the offer is significant but it’s no good for us. It has to work for both. If we don’t have someone of a certain calibre and quality to come in, then, unfortunately, it can’t be done.
“It’s a difficult situation for him in terms of the possibility he has.”