Dembele out but he’ll be back with a bang

Brendan Rodgers believes the explosive nature of Moussa Dembele’s play has led to another hamstring injury which will see him miss Celtic’s Champions League second-round qualifier against Rosenborg at Parkhead tonight.

The 22-year-old French striker scored a double in last week’s 3-0 home win against Armenian outfit Alashkert which helped the Scottish champions to a 6-0 aggregate victory before limping off.

Rodgers, who also revealed that Odsonne Edouard has shrugged off a knee injury ahead of the first leg against the Norwegian side at Parkhead on Wednesday night, said of Dembele, a player who has had a hamstring prob- lems in the past: “Moussa will probably be out for a couple of weeks, certainly both legs of this round.

“It is a minor strain. Sometimes the hamstring can be six to eight weeks but this is one that from the time it happened, we have been told two to three weeks maximum.

“It is unfortunate because he has looked very good over pre-season but he will be back fit and strong. Maybe he has it once or twice a year. Sometimes you get that with explosive players. They are into the season early. He couldn’t have done any more. He came back lean and fit, it is just one of those unfortunate things. But he will be back soon. I feel for all the coaches here, in terms of Champions League, Europa League and the (Betfred) cup games.

“Managers and players are expected to be in full flow within one of two weeks which is unrealistic really. I feel for all manag- ers and players who are having to get teams out to win games when this is the time of the season is for fitness.”

Celtic have reached the Champions League in the last two years but face four instead of three qualifiers this season.

AEK Athens are waiting in the next round should they get past Rosenborg, whom they beat 1-0 on aggregate in the penultimate Champions League qualifier last season. for a while, obviously, so I know how he works.

“I developed really well with him while he was with me at Watford. It was really good working with him and one day I believe he can help me to be selected for Brazil in the full national team.

“But that is for the future and my present is here with Everton. I want my dreams to become a reality here at one of the biggest clubs in England.”

Richarlison scored five times in his opening 12 Premier League matches last term but did not find the net again in a season that saw Watford sack Silva in January.

Watford are making almost a £30million profit in 12 months after buying Richarlison from Fluminense last summer.