The Dembele decision
Britain Football Soccer - Aberdeen v Celtic - Scottish League Cup Final - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland - 27/11/16 Celtic's Moussa Dembele poses as he celebrates winning the final with the trophy Action Images via Reuters / Pool Pic Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Brendan Rodgers hasn’t ruled Moussa Dembele out of his Scottish Cup Final plans.
The striker has stepped up his training but hasn’t been involved in a game since suffering a hamstring injury in the 2-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over Sevco.
Leigh Griffiths replaced the Frenchman at Hampden and has grabbed vital goals at Ibrox and Pittodrie since being given his chance.
The former Hibs striker seems certain to be in the starting XI but a lot of eyes will be checking the substitutes bench for Dembele when the teams are announced.
Teenager Jack Aitchison is the only other available striker although Scott Sinclair and Patrick Roberts have stepped in to play as striker during the season.
Asked about Dembele’s prospects of playing Rodgers told The Sun: “Players will very rarely be at 100 per cent but we have to measure and gauge the risk of where he’s at.
“But he’s recovered well and he’s working hard and we’re hopeful that he’ll be able to join the squad.”
There are no other injury worries for the Celtic boss to contend with as he prepares his side for Hampden.
Rodgers biggest decision will be whether to start with Tom Rogic or Callum McGregor with that decision having a knock on effect about where Stuart Armstrong plays.