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Celtic under no pressure to sell Moussa Dembele, says owner Dermot Desmond

By Michael Cantillon

Thursday 6 July 2017 15:13, UK

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Moussa Dembele of Celtic celebrates after he scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Ladbrokes Scottish
Image: Celtic are under no pressure to sell Moussa Dembele or any of their top players, says owner Dermot Desmond

Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has said the club are under no pressure to sell Moussa Dembele or anyone else in their squad.

The Irish businessman and financier added that no decision on players will be made until after Champions League qualification or otherwise.

Celtic enjoyed a record-breaking year under Brendan Rodgers last season, winning a domestic treble for the fourth time in the club's history and going the whole league campaign unbeaten for the first time since 1897-98.

That winning feeling - Celtic players and fans celebrate Tom Rogic's goal
Image: Celtic's players enjoyed an incredible season in 2016/17, winning a domestic treble

"We're conscious of maintaining the core of the team," Desmond told Sky Sports News HQ.

"Naturally some players will move on and some will come in, that's the way that demand is for players and the salaries that they get.

Scott Brown of Celtic lifts the trophy during the William Hill Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park
Image: Celtic went the whole league campaign undefeated

"But we'll endeavour to maintain the nucleus of the team for the year.

"We don't have to sell any player. First of all, it will be the club, the player and the manager that will decide that.

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"We will make no decisions until the end of our Champions League qualification programme."

Linfield's Jordan Stewart celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying match at Windsor Park, Belfast.
Image: Linfield's Jordan Stewart secured a Champions League meeting with Celtic by beating La Forita

The Hoops face Northern Irish club Linfield in the second qualifying round of the Champions League on July 14 in Belfast and July 19 in Glasgow.