As reported by The Daily Mail, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has backed his striker Moussa Dembele to make an impact on the big stages away to Rangers this Sunday at Ibrox.

What's the story?

We're rapidly approaching one of the most anticipated derbies in recent times between the two sides, with the prospect of a genuine Scottish Premiership title race at stake.

Celtic know that a win will all but guarantee a seventh successive league title, but, currently six points ahead of the Light Blues with a game in hand, if the gap is reduced to three points it sets up an exciting end to the season.

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers has appeared relaxed about the encounter in the build-up and is delighted one of his best players is reaching peak form ahead of the encounter.

As quoted by The Daily Mail, Rodgers said:

I think he is a big-game player, Moussa. The players need to do it at Celtic in every game. But certainly in those big games he has always come up trumps and shown his qualities.

I think the background noise has gone. That's absolutely key for any player.

I think what you see is a young player free now in his mind to focus on his strengths. When he is that he is a real handful.

He was terrific in the game here against Zenit. In the game over there he played very well when the team, collectively, was not at its best.

Against Aberdeen he showed his power. And now he is just moving as I would expect.

Can the young Frenchman prove once again why he is regarded to be the best striker in Scotland?

Celtic's key man

Dembele may not have a goal against Rangers this term, but last season made his name off the back of efforts against the Gers, scoring five in total in different competitions across the campaign.

Sunday is a tremendous opportunity to steal the spotlight in Scotland again and with three goals in his last two matches, Rodgers is correct to assert he is reaching top form once again.

If he plays well on Sunday, it's hard to see a path to victory for Rangers, whose fans will be hoping they can shutdown the striker just as they did the last time the two sides met.

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