Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says Moussa Dembele has already made request after France U21 display

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The young striker put in a starring role for his country against England Under-21s.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told the club’s official website that Moussa Dembele has already asked to put given free-kick duties after scoring a superb effort for France Under-21s against England.

Dembele’s star continued to rise during the international break as he scored twice to help his country end England Under-21s long unbeaten run on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old had already scored in the game before he curled in a wonderful strike from a set-piece just outside the penalty area to make it four goals in four appearances for his national under-21 side.

Those goals add to his 16 strikes in 24 appearances for the Hoops since he made the move north of the border from Fulham in the summer transfer window.

Rodgers was quick to praise his star’s performance for his country, and revealed that he has already received a message from the youngster since the game asking to be given first choice of free-kicks.

Rodgers said, via the club’s website: “His first goal was great movement and a great finish, which he shows every day in training and we have seen it here. And after his second goal, I’m sure he will be fighting to get on the free-kicks here, and he has already sent me that message after the game!

“Again, it was a very good free-kick and arguably he could have had three or four. He had great movement in the box where he chested it down, spun and could have finished it, and he just did overdid it with his little dink over the keeper.

“He’s a big talent and who is justifying his move in coming here. He’s a young player of 20 on a good and long contract here and we are hoping he can develop well over the next couple of years. Moussa has had some minutes and he comes back having scored two goals, he played really well and he’s full of confidence.”

Dembele would love to be given the chance to further increase his goal tally this season from set pieces, and given the confidence and ability with which he scored his effort on Tuesday, Rodgers may find it difficult to resist granting the star’s wish.