Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has welcomed the signing of Moussa Dembele, but has told the young Frenchman he is going to have fight him for a first-team place at Celtic.

It was announced yesterday that the 19-year-old had joined the Bhoys from English Championship side Fulham after his contract expired, and when talking to the Glasgow Evening Times at Celtic's hotel in Maribor, Griffiths said:

WANT MORE? >> Celtic transfer news | Scottish Premiership transfer news

"Anybody that the gaffer signs will be welcomed to this club but he is going to have a tough job on his hands to move me out of the team."

Rodgers does usually favour three up front and Griffiths is hopeful that they can be a lethal partnership with both in the starting XI:

"Hopefully, we can work together if he goes with two or three up front. Hopefully, the gaffer can find a space for both of us. I concentrate on what I do. I just work hard on and off the pitch and if I do that the manager will find it difficult to leave me out. When I do my job on the pitch and score goals it is going to be even harder for the team. Celtic are always going to be linked with big names strikers. I haven’t seen a lot of Dembele but he is meant to be a very big talent."

Celtic will need to pay compensation for Dembele as he is under 23, but it could prove to be a bargain with teams like Tottenham and other Premier League clubs having looked at bringing in the young forward previously.

After striking up a lethal partnership with Ross McCormack in the Championship, Celtic fans will be hopeful Dembele can do the same with Griffiths.

[ad_pod id='playwire' align='center']

[ad_pod id='classic-boots' align='center']