`THE sight of a uniquely-gifted young French striker whose prolific strike rate has put him on the verge of winning a multi-million pound move to one of Europe’s leading clubs provoked differing reactions among the Celtic support last week.

Watching Kylian Mbappe, whose £165 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain will be concluded next summer, bear down on their goal in a Champions League group game at Parkhead on Tuesday evening proved an unsettling experience.

Seeing his compatriot and contemporary Moussa Dembele, repeatedly linked with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester United, back in action four days later in a Ladbrokes Premiership match against Ross County, though, was altogether more uplifting.

Dembele’s success with Celtic last season may well have been overshadowed by that of Mbappe at Monaco in his homeland. But he remains every bit as precocious a talent as his celebrated young countryman and has a future just as exciting ahead of him. That was very much evident once again at the weekend.

The 21-year-old performed with all of his usual intelligence, physicality and technical excellence, despite not featuring in the first team for nearly two months and marked his return from the hamstring injury which sidelined him at the end of last season with a typically eye-catching strike shortly before half-time.

He left the field to warm applause after an hour having contributed significantly to a win which, together with the 1-1 draw Aberdeen were held to at home by Kilmarnock, extended the lead which Celtic hold at the top of the Premiership table to two points. His influence will only grow with games as his match fitness and sharpness improves.

Dembele’s return, which lifted spirits in the East End of Glasgow after their humbling loss to Saint Germain, is timely given the run of important games which they have coming up in all competitions.

There is no shortage of individuals with the ability to score in Brendan Rodgers’s squad. Indeed, no fewer than 17 of his charges netted last term as they went undefeated domestically and won the treble. Six of them got into double figures. In the first 14 games of this campaign 11 players have already bagged goals.

Dembele, though, provides the Scottish champions with the sort of quality they need to hurt teams at the highest level. His availability could be crucial in the league meeting with Rangers at Ibrox this Saturday and then a huge Champions League meeting with Anderlecht in Belgium the following Wednesday.

That Group B game in the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium will go a long way towards deciding whether Celtic can achieve their objective of being involved in Europe beyond Christmas. James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths, Odsonne Edouard, Tom Rogic Scott Sinclair and others will all be capable and confident of converting should an opportunity fall to them.

Forrest helped himself to a second half brace against County and Rogic put his side in front. Sinclair was only denied by some outstanding goalkeeping from Aaron McCarey after coming on for Griffiths late on.

But their young team mate, who scored against Astana, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Manchester City and Borussia Moenchengladbach last season, has shown he is capable of producing on the big occasion many times in the past.

The centre forward famously became the first Celtic player in 51 years to notch a hat-trick in an Old Firm League game around this time last year and he went on to score in the following two derby victories.

Dembele will fancy his chances this weekend. His presence will certainly be ominous for opponents whose defensive deficiencies were once again exposed in a second half collapse against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Friday evening.

It is not, of course, just up front where Celtic are strong. At the back, too, they are robust. They kept their ninth clean sheet of the season at the weekend despite Mikael Lustig and Kieran Tierney being rested and Rodgers switching to a three man back line which comprised Anthony Ralston and Nir Bitton on either side of Jozo Simunovic.

They required a double block from Craig Gordon in the second half to do so. His second save from a Davis Keillor-Dunn shot may not be bettered in the coming months.

Alfredo Morelos will provide a far greater threat. But having faced Edinson Cavani, Mbappe and Neymar nobody in the Celtic rearguard will be daunted by the prospect of facing him.