Brendan Rodgers has conceded that Moussa Dembele’s head has been turned by the speculation surrounding the Frenchman’s future.

Dembele was an unused substitute in Celtic’s 5-0 romp over Brechin City in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup as the holders marched along on the road to Hampden.

The 21-year-old, who racked up 32 goals during his first season with the Glasgow club, has been a shadow of his former self in the current campaign.

Conjecture surrounding possible moves to Everton, Crystal Palace and Brighton in the January transfer window has not helped Dembele’s general state of mind and Rodgers admitted he was treating his young striker with a protective arm.

The Celtic manager said: “There have been a couple of enquiries for him and I think it is clear he has not been quite the same as he’s been for over a year or so.

“My job as the manager and the leader of the team is to ensure his focus is purely on Celtic. He’s a good kid, but for a lot of players January is a difficult window.

“There is lot of speculation, lots of things happening. My job is always to protect the club and ensure everyone who plays is totally focused.

“Moussa is fine. There have been a few enquiries and we will see what happens between now and the end of the month.”

Rodgers remains confident that, should Dembele stay in the east end of Glasgow, then he will soon return to the form that made him such a valuable asset.

Rodgers added: “This window, it is a difficult window for players. They are unsure, especially in his case. But he has no issue, there is no problem. I could have played him today but for the team and for the dynamic of everything I wanted to put young Odsonne Edouard in. Moussa is training, he is working and if nothing happens between now and the end of January then between then and the end of the season we will see that player really focussed and fighting and running and working for the team.”