DEMBELE KO BLOW
FROM BACK PAGE games against Athens in the third qualifying round due to his hamstring injury.
Rodgers hoped the hitman would return to face the Greeks after missing out against Rosenborg but has now revealed he won’t be back in time.
The Celtic boss said: “The medical guys are telling me it is probably going to be the next two to three weeks – a bit longer than we had anticipated.”
Rodgers does expect Griffiths back in the fold and insists it’s down to the Scotland star whether or not he stays there.
The 27-year-old hasn’t made a competitive outing since suffering a thigh issue in pre-season but should be back for tomorrow’s Premiership opener against Livingston at Parkhead.
And Rodgers has laid it on the line to his attacker that he needs to do the work to stay in the frame.
He said: “Leigh has been out for a while. He needs to get his fitness up. He has been working hard at trying to get that up. We have kept him behind to work on that.
“My job is very easy. I pick the players who are fit and fighting. You can’t keep looking at managers. Players have to take responsibility for their fitness and their willingness to make themselves available.”
Asked if Griffiths has needed to be reminded of those responsibilities, Rodgers added: “No, he knows. He sees me every day and all the squad in great physical condition. It’s a responsibility on them all.”
But Rodgers has indicated World Cup trio Dedryck Boyata, Mikael Lustig and Tom Rogic could play key parts against AEK.
He said: “Dedryck looks great. Mika has been back in for a few weeks while Tom’s training well.
“You are trying to win vital games but you have to get them up to some sort of match speed.
“That is the balance between league and Champions League games to maximise what we can get out of them all.”
‘The things Sutton said about Lafferty were disgraceful. It was very unprofessional for a former player who was no saint himself.’
we got the money for Stuart Armstrong. It’s time for the club to spend.”
said: “Celtic and Rangers are linked with John McGinn and Kyle Lafferty respectively and people are giving them stick for not paying enough.
“It’s like a house or a car, there’s an asking price but if you don’t want to pay that you try lower to get a deal. It doesn’t matter if you’re Real Madrid, Juventus, Celtic or Rangers. You’re going to try to strike a deal.”
The prospect of old boy Lafferty returning to Ibrox has split opinion but one caller claimed he’d welcome former players back with open arms.
said: “The Rangers players that left in 2012 like Lafferty, Allan McGregor and Steven Naismith were wise enough not to move their contracts to Charles Green.
“Remember, these players met Green on numerous occasions and didn’t trust him. And then what happened? I welcome back Allan McGregor and Lafferty, if he does sign. We as Rangers fans must see the bigger picture.”
Another caller wasn’t pleased with Record Sport columnist and BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton’s comments on Lafferty.
said: “The things Sutton said about Lafferty were disgraceful. To call a guy he doesn’t know a “nutter and ticking time bomb” is very unprofessional for a former player who was no saint himself.
“Sutton was an okay player but never a great player, he should remember that when making childish remarks about others.”
Finally, one Rangers supporter has called for fans to boycott the sale of the new kit.
said: “I want to complain about the Rangers kit situation. If fans want to make an impact then they should stop buying the kits.” CALL THE HOTLINE FROM 11 TILL 12 NOON on: 0141 309 3306 or email us: hotline@dailyrecord.co.uk