BRENDAN RODGERS has admitted Moussa Dembele reminds him of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
But the 20-year-old French striker insists he is going to do it his own way as he makes sensational progress at Celtic where he aims to remain “for the long term”.
Dembele, who has claimed 12 goals in 17 appearances since joining from Fulham in the summer, said: “It is great to be compared to that kind of player, but I want to make my own name.
“Hopefully, with the goals I have scored and the goals I will score, I will do that.
“Of course, I looked up to Drogba when I was younger. He was one of the greatest strikers in the world.
“He could score from anywhere, inside or outside the box. For me, he was one the best strikers there has ever been in the Premier League.”
Spurs liked the look of the powerful hitman and had hoped to sign him during the January transfer window only for the proposed deal to fall through.
Inevitably, with the player’s fabulous start to the campaign, there has been reported interest in his goalscoring prowess.
However, he said: “It’s good to know that. But as long as they know I’m a Celtic player, I’m focused on Celtic – I don’t listen too much to what anyone is saying about me.
“My job is to get Celtic the best results possible and score as many goals as possible.
“Celtic is the best club for me. Not just for a few years. For a few years and more.
“That’s why I came here. I didn’t come here to stay just for a few years. I came here for the long term.
“Every time I’m on the pitch, I try to give 100 per cent and do my best. I’m lucky that, sometimes, my best seems to come out in big games against the big teams.
“But, you know, I don’t really worry about who we are playing. I focus on myself and my team-mates, what we can do.
”I enjoy playing at higher levels, I enjoy being challenged again and again. I’m a winner – and winners aren’t scared of challenges, no matter how big they are.
“Against any team, any player, I just focus on myself. I would take another penalty-kick if we got one against Borussia Monchengladbach, of course. For sure.”
Dembele admitted he is loving life in the east end of Glasgow.
He added: “It feels good, to know you have the support of 60,000 fans. It’s unbelievable.
“To come to a massive club like this and have those fans singing my name, it’s really something for a young player like me. It would be something for any player, whatever their age or experience.
“I enjoy it a lot and I try to give them back what I can.
“I know when I’m 100 per cent ready that I can produce some good stuff. That’s what I’ve done so far.
“To be fair, when I first came in the lads were playing well so that made it easier for me to settle in and get to where I am today.
“You can always do better, so I won’t say you have seen me at my best yet. I am still young and still have things to learn. So, you can only say there is more to come.”
