The Real Madrid coach is tipping the Celtic youngster for greatness.
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring a goal
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has insisted that while Moussa Dembele is destined for a bigger club, he should not be looking to leave Celtic over the next couple of years, the Daily Record reports.
While anyone who watched the Frenchman during his days with Fulham knew that there was plenty of potential there, few would have anticipated that he would enjoy such a brilliant start to life with the Hoops following his summer move.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane
The 20-year-old has scored 14 goals in just 20 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ men, including four against their Old Firm rivals and a brace against Manchester City in the Champions League.
And while the footballing legend believes that it is inevitable that his countryman will join one of Europe’s heavyweights in the future, he has suggested that the best thing for Dembele right now is to keep doing exactly what he is currently doing.
“I do understand now that the biggest clubs in Europe are being linked with him and that will be his destination eventually – but my advice now is ignore it all,” he said, as reported by the Record.
“He can progress well at Celtic, at a great club who are in Europe, and under a very good coach.
“I know his time will come but he needs to make good decisions – and his next at least one or two seasons should be with Celtic.”
Dembele scored the only goal against Rangers at the weekend
While joining one of Europe’s biggest clubs would see the youngster come up against a better standard of opposition on a regular basis, it is not difficult to see why Zidane is urging him to stay put.
With Celtic, Dembele is already emerging as something of a talisman – which is incredibly impressive given Leigh Griffiths’ form last season – and will obviously have plenty of chances week-in week-out which will allow him to develop his game further.
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