FRENCH legend Zinedine Zidane has urged Moussa Dembele to stay at Celtic for at least another two years – if he aims to become one of the world’s top strikers.
The Real Madrid boss has watched the spectacular rise of his fellow-Frenchman who took his goal tally to 14 with his late winner in the Betfred League Cup semi-final at the weekend.
He said: “Dembele is one of the most talked-about young strikers in Europe at the moment, but it has not surprised me at all – I always saw that.
“He isn’t just scoring goals, he is scoring big goals, important goals like the one against (Comedy Club Sevco) Rangers. That to me is always the sign of a great player.
“I have played with the greatest strikers – Ronaldo, Henry, Raul – and you knew on the biggest occasions, they would win you games. Dembele is already showing that.
“It was great for him to score his goals against Manchester City, not just for the result, but for him personally.
“He will now go into games knowing he can score goals against the best clubs and that confidence does everything for a player of that age.
“I hope he can score more goals while Celtic remain in the Champions League because it will be good for him.”
Zidane added: “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 for him to ignore it all.
“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.”
