Brendan Rodgers claims there’s been a misconception about Celtic star Moussa Dembele

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The youngster joined the Scottish Premiership side during the summer transfer window.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has explained to the Telegraph that he feels that there has been a misconception regarding Celtic striker Moussa Dembele.

The 20-year-old arrived at Parkhead in the summer. And given the fact that he has only a limited amount of experience, having made just over 50 league appearances for Fulham before his move, and the fact that he joined a team that often just played one striker last season, it appeared that Rodgers had earmarked him as cover for Leigh Griffiths and one for the future.

Celtic’s Moussa Dembele

But the Northern Irishman has insisted that that is certainly not the case.

“There’s a misconception about Moussa, that I brought him to be a second-choice striker. He will show that he will be a big player for Celtic over the years,” he told the Telegraph.

Dembele provided a huge indication that he is already ready to lead the line by bagging a stunning hat-trick during the first Old Firm game of the season at the weekend.

And he demonstrated his technical ability by scoring the perfect treble, with his first goal coming off his head, before a sumptuous finish with his right and a thunderous drive with his left foot inspired the Bhoys to a 5-1 win.

Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths

Despite Rodgers’ insistence and Dembele’s performance against Rangers however, it seems unlikely that he would have been spearheading the attack had Griffiths been available.

The Scotland international – who was injured for the clash – has enjoyed some incredible form since the beginning of last season, scoring 40 times in all competitions last term, and continuing that run with seven strikes in just nine games this time around.

But if Dembele manages to do something special in the Nou Camp when Celtic face Barcelona in the Champions League, then perhaps Rodgers’ insistence that Dembele is not necessarily second-choice will be taken a lot more seriously.