Moussa Dembele has been a smash hit of a signing in a season where Celtic are setting records with their domestic performances and gave a good account of themselves in the Champions League.
His arrival from Fulham in the summer for the comical fee of £500,000 is an absolutely outstanding bit of business from the Glasgow club who will make an obscene profit if they do decide to let the talented Frenchman move should a club in Europe's top leagues come sniffing, but for the moment Dembele is happy in Scotland and the fans are certainly happy with what they are seeing on the pitch.
Brendan Rodgers is the man credited with making the deal happen as he convinced Dembele to swap Fulham for Celtic, and aside from the lure of the Champions League, it's clear that the former Liverpool boss' track record with developing young talent was a big factor in the deal.
Dembele's agent Mamadi Fofana has revealed to the Daily Record exactly what Rodgers told his client during the negotiations, and it turns out that the Antrim-born manager cites Luis Suarez as a reference when he needs to seal a deal.
When it finished, Moussa knew Celtic was a strong option. Brendan was clear. He explained that Celtic could not pay what some of the other clubs in Europe could pay.
He even knew what those other offers were. Brendan knew what was going on.
But what he promised Moussa was that he’d have fun, he’d get his chances to play and he’d be at a top club with everything put in place for him to become a better player, so long as you are willing to work.
He said: If you don’t believe me, take my phone, call Luis Suarez and ask him what he thinks about me, call Raheem Sterling. I’ve developed many players and you can be one of those, but it’s up to you.
You will get money in your life, but right now, you are young enough to work and learn and then the big money will follow.
That was roughly the speech and the fact it was coming from a world-class manager was a turning point for Moussa. He was convinced.
And it got the job done. He told Dembele that he wanted him as his first Celtic signing, and sure enough, he was.
Dembele has netted 24 goals in 34 games so far this season, and has no doubt caught the eye of Europe's biggest clubs with his performances against Barca and Man City in the Champions League, so it's a damn good thing that Rodgers was able to convince him that Glasgow was the right spot for him.
Even if he does move on, it's a win-win situation considering the season he has had, the money he will bring in, and the growth the player himself has shown.
Well played, Brendan.
