OUT OF ORDER
Commons criticises Dembele for his ‘lack of respect’
MOUSSA DeMbele has been accused of ‘disrespecting’ his Celtic team-mates by heading for the dressing room after his Old Firm substitution.
Writing exclusively in Sportsmail today, Kris Commons criticises Dembele for his actions in the goalless draw against Rangers on Saturday. And the former Celtic star insists it is further indication that the Frenchman’s days at Parkhead are numbered.
While plenty took note of Dembele’s slow departure from the playing field and lengthy applauding of the fans, Commons picked up on the fact the player did not stick around to watch his team-mates once he had been taken off.
‘Moussa Dembele’s head is away,’ said Commons. ‘The fact that he got substituted in an Old Firm game and went straight down the tunnel, got a shower, put his tracksuit on and only then came back out.
‘Other players in that Celtic dressing room are right to say: “We’re playing and trying to win a game here. And you’re in there having a shower, getting
changed”. From a players’ point of view, I wouldn’t like it. Is he that bothered? Is the intent there? Is he that bothered about the result?’ Commons, who recalled apologising publicly for his own act of touchline rebellion against Ronny Deila in 2015, added: ‘On Saturday, Dembele was disrespecting his team-mates. ‘Perhaps his head is away and he wants to leave. That really struck me — that probably his time is up. ‘I think there will be little rumbles in the changing room, because it was very, very strange that he did it.’ The France Under-21 striker — valued at well over £20million by Celtic — is high on the wanted list of several Premier League clubs. Brighton are leading a pack including West Ham and Southampton, who have just sold former Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool for a world record £75m. Celtic, meanwhile, remain engaged in pursuit of Dundee defender Jack Hendry — although the Dens Park club have denied receiving a £500,000 bid for a player also attracting interest down south. Newcastle and Southampton have been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, who has impressed since his arrival from Wigan in July.