Dembele recalled to the France Under-21 side

Despite only playing for over an hour since his comeback from a hamstring injury, Celtic striker Moussa Dembele has been recalled to represent his national side at Under-21 level, the Daily Record report.

Dembele, 21, has been selected for the upcoming games against both Montenegro and Luxembourg, along with teammate and good friend off the pitch, Olivier Ntcham.

The news of Dembele’s inclusion may come as a slight worry for manager Brendan Rodgers as he publicly stated he wants to ease the forward back into first-team action.

We don’t need his hamstring going again. We don’t need to force him as we have a really good squad of players. We brought in a third striker in Odsonne Edouard because Leigh Griffiths and Moussa have had injury history. We don’t want to push them.

Dembele scored on his return from injury as a substitute against Ross County, and made a brief cameo in the Old Firm win at Ibrox, and was an unused substitute in midweek as Celtic brushed aside Anderlecht 3-0 in the Champions League.

The Frenchman has represented France at every youth level from U16s to U21s. He has six caps at U21 level to his name, scoring an impressive four goals in the process.