HAVING watched Moussa Dembele help save Fulham from relegation last season, Lee Clark was certain that the powerhouses of English football would be circling for his services last summer.

The fact the young Frenchman was snapped by Celtic has already proved painful to Kilmarnock as he scored twice in a 6-1 mauling two months ago.

While aggrieved by that and working furiously to avoid a repeat at Rugby Park on Friday, Clark has little doubt that those English clubs will be back in the market before long.

Clark said: “I know Moussa well from my links with my old club. I have seen him at close quarters and I did a lot of TV work at Fulham.

“His partnership with Ross McCormack last season was what saved Fulham from relegation given the amount of goals they scored.

“As soon as he signed I told my staff Celtic were getting a fantastic, all-round, young player.

“He has come up here and it hasn’t surprised me how well he has done. He is only going to get better and better. 

“He is working under a manager who will improve him and take him to the next level.

“I wasn’t surprised Celtic were able to entice him up here because they and Rangers are massive clubs. 

“I’m surprised there was not a lot more clubs down south fighting for him. 

“However, that might have had to do with the fee they needed to pay if he stayed in England due to the cross-border rules.

“I think a big move will be on the horizon in a few years as big clubs will certainly be interested.”

The problem for Clark is how to keep Dembele out when Celtic come to Rugby Park on Friday night but he says he has been working hard with his players to limit chances to the Celtic front players.

He knows he can’t just focus on the Frenchman because Celtic carry threats throughout their team. Equally he has to cope with losing the experience and ability of Kris Boyd, who has been ruled out until January with a thigh muscle injury.

He said: “We need to cut out the supply when you have a talent like Dembele.

“You have to try and stop make them making chances at source.” and if they do get through you hope the keeper can make the saves.  

“It’s a huge blow to lose Kris – not only for his impact on the pitch but the impact he has off it too.

“It’s an opportunity for Nathan Tyson, Flo Bojaj, who is coming on strong and is very close, and Souleymane Coulibaly to come back into his natural position.”