Dembele might be all done with us, says Davies
CHRIS DAVIES, Celtic’s assistant manager, has acknowledged that Moussa Dembele’s time at Parkhead could have come to a natural end.
The France Under-21 internationalist was left on the bench for the 5-0 win over Brechin in the William Hill Scottish Cup on Saturday with Brendan Rodgers acknowledging after the game that Dembele’s focus had been affected by the speculation with regards to his future.
While no formal offers have been tabled for the striker, Rodgers confirmed that there had been inquiries for Dembele from more than one club.
And for the first time there seems to be a tacit acknowledgement within Celtic that the player could be reaching the end of his journey in Glasgow.
“I think time has gone on,” said Davies. “And I think, 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 how it’s evolving.
“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.”
Celtic play Partick Thistle this evening on league duty but the likelihood is that Leigh Griffiths could lead the line after returning from an ankle knock. Odsonne Edouard scored in the weekend win over Brechin and although Dembele is fit and available, it seems as if he will be unused.
Davies stressed that the striker has gone about his working day as normal at Lennoxtown but echoed Rodgers’ assertion that the incessant speculation about his future has had an unsettling impact.
“In my experience, even with established players, the uncertainty and instability of the window can affect them,” said the Celtic assistant coach. “Let alone guys who have speculation around them to stay or go. Moussa has not been unprofessional. As the manager alluded to, he’s been slighted affected by what is going on around him and the speculation. But there’s no problem.
“He’s here, he’s available, he’s working hard, the manager has an open line of communication with him, they talk quite regularly. So that’s no problem at all.
“We just support them and talk to them, let them know our feelings and thoughts on it and see what happens.
‘But, like I say, it’s a period of instability for managers and teams, players as well, so you have to expect that. Moussa talks to Brendan regularly. It’s not one of those situations where there’s a breakdown and unprofessional behaviour – it’s nothing like that at all.”