MOUSSA DEMBELE insists he cannot wait to form a deadly double-act at Celtic with Olivier Ntcham.
The 21-year-old midfielder, last week’s £4.5million signing from Manchester City, made his competitive debut in last night’s 4-0 win over Linfield as the Hoops set up a Champions League third round qualifier against Rosenborg.
Ntcham was involved in three of the goals before he was substituted and his French countryman Dembele believes he will make a significant impact at the treble-winners this season.
Last term’s 32-goal man said: “You can expect him to make runs, he has good vision.
“He is a midfielder who loves to have the ball and play a pass no-one thinks he can play. He is skilful and we can expect goals from him, as well.
“He has got everything in his locker and it is up to him to come here to work and improve.
“I am 100 per cent sure he will improve and we will see the best of him this season.
“We have a very good relationship. Even when he was in Italy we would call each other once a week and ask how are you and to see how the football was going.
“We are close friends, sometimes I would say he is my brother. We are very close and I am happy to see him here.
“If we are both on the pitch, we will be a good partnership. He understands me, I understand him.
“It is not just on the pitch, it is off the pitch, too, that we are very close and I can’t wait to play alongside him.”
Demebele passed up two excellent opportunities in the first-half against the Irish part-timers and added: “I can do better.
“This season is another season. Last season is past and I want to give 100 per cent every time I go onto the pitch.
“I don’t put myself under pressure. It is a game and I love playing football.
“You can’t have a day off. You want to improve and get better. We all come and give our best to improve as a team and as individuals and that is the most important thing for me as a young player.”
