The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Rodgers: We have finally replaced Dembele
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers admits he has had to sign three new forwards to replace Moussa Dembele.
Vakoun Issouf Bayo has become the Parkhead manager’s latest recruit after joining loan signings Oliver Burke and Timothy Weah in Dubai for the Scottish champions’ winter training camp. The Hoops beat competition from Parma and Rapid Vienna to land Ivory Coast striker Bayo – who scored 18 goals in 23 games for Slovakian side Dunajska Streda this season – in a reported £2 million move.
West Brom forward Burke and PSG youngster Weah – son of former World Player of the Year George – will see out the season in Glasgow after sealing their own switches.
The new arrivals are a welcome boost after a frustrating first half of the season which saw main goal threat Odsonne Edouard struggle with injury, while Leigh Griffiths is taking time out to concentrate on personal issues.
Rodgers also admits his side have struggled to replace the power and speed Dembele offered before he left in a £19.7m move to Lyon last August.
But, with three new options now available he is confident his side has all the firepower it needs.
Rodgers said: “We’re a team that plays an aggressive game, an attacking game and I felt that was an area we were short in terms of our options.
“So bringing young Oliver and Timothy in will increase that as will young Bayo as well as he gives us a physicality with his presence and speed.
“It allows us more options. The style will always be the same, but it increases the way we can play. We suffered a little bit when Moussa left in the summer, but I’m happy with these three.”