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ZINEDINE ZIDANE last night urged Celtic’s hottest prospect Moussa Dembele to stay at Parkhead for up to two years if he wants to become one of the world’s top strikers.

Real Madrid boss and Zidane has watched the sensational rise of fellow Frenchman Dembele - including his two Champions League goals against Manchester City and four goals in two games against Rangers - and believes Europe’s top clubs are eyeing the 20-year-old progress.

(Image: SNS)

But the former World Player of the Year is advising the Celt to continue his football education in Glasgow rather than jump at the first chance to leave.

Zidane said: “Dembele is one of the most talked about young strikers in Europe at the moment but it has not surprised me at all – I always saw that.

“He isn’t just scoring goals, he is scoring big goals, important goals like the one against Rangers. That to me is always the sign of a great player.

“I have played with the greatest strikers, Ronaldo, Henry, Raul, and you knew on the biggest occasions they would win you games – and Dembele is already showing that.

“It was great for him to score his goals against Manchester City, not just for the result but for him personally.

“He will now go into games knowing he can score goals against the best clubs and that confidence does everything for a player of that age.

“I hope he can score more goals while Celtic remain in The Champions League, it will be good for him.”

Zidane knows Dembele will eventually leave the Scottish champions but the Real Madrid manager is adamant he should be in no rush,

He added: “I do understand now that the biggest clubs in Europe are being linked with him and that will be his destination eventually – but my advice now is ignore it all.

“He can progress well at Celtic, at a great club who are in Europe, and under a very good coach.

“I know his time will come but he needs to make good decisions – and his next at least one or two seasons should be with Celtic.”