Toure is sure Dembele can be superstar for Les Bleus

KOLO TOURE last night hailed Moussa Dembele as French football’s next superstar in the making. The Celtic striker scored his fourth goal in just four games for France’s Under-21s with a spectacular double in a 3-2 win over England in Bondoufle on Monday. It also saw Dembele pass the 20-goal mark for the season after claiming 16 goals for Celtic, who he joined in the summer for a bargain £500,000 from Fulham. Now Toure believes his 20-yearold Parkhead team-mate is destined for full international honours — with heroic status for Les Bleus lying in wait. ‘I see Moussa as the next star of the France team,’ the Ivorian said. ‘He is a great player and a great talent. What I like even more about him is his mentality. ‘I spent a lot of time with him and he is someone who listens a lot. ‘He doesn’t say too much but, when he does, he’s very clear. ‘He’s surrounded by good people. He has the same agent he had when he was a young

boy and he trusts him. Moussa is also very focused in training.’ Toure (pictured) added: ‘He doesn’t have a big head, despite his young age. ‘I have been really impressed with him.’ France boss Didier Deschamps was already under pressure to include Dembele in last night’s friendly against Toure’s Ivory Coast, having previously stated he was closely monitoring his progress. But Deschamps stated this week: ‘I don’t think the final game of the year is the time to experiment. Let’s look at next year to see how our young players are progressing.’ Meanwhile, Scott Sinclair believes Steven Gerrard would enjoy the perfect swansong to his career if he joins Brendan Rodgers at Celtic. Gerrard, 36, has confirmed his time with LA Galaxy is over following their play-off defeat to Colorado Rapids — and has been linked with a reunion with his former Liverpool boss Rodgers in Glasgow. Sinclair feels the former Anfield skipper would be reinvigorated were he to become a part of what Rodgers is building in Glasgow. ‘He is a world-class player,’ said Sinclair. ‘For me a player of this calibre coming into this club would be unbelievable for the fans and everyone around Celtic and for the players to look up to him and for the young players to learn from him. ‘I think any player coming here would get a buzz. Everyone I speak to can’t believe what Celtic Park is like on a European night.’