CALLUM McGregor believes Celtic have the goal-power to take them into the Champions League group stage with the striker partnership of Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard.

The two French forwards were paired together in the 7-0 win over Shamrock Rovers on Saturday and both are set to start against Alashkert when the season begins in Armenia on Tuesday night.

Brendan Rodgers has for the most part resisted playing with two natural strikers, preferring a lone No.9 with two wingers either side.

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However, the record £9m acquisition of Edouard in the summer is one of the reasons for this change in his tactics and McGregor, who scored twice in the weekend’s match in Ireland, believes Celtic will rediscover their scoring touch which deserted them at times last season, despite a second treble.

McGregor said: “Odsonne and Moussa are great. When you see those two playing together, they have a real knack of knowing each other’s games. They’ve got pace, power – and they’re a hard two for anyone trying to defend against them.

“We know that, if we get the ball up to that pair as quickly as possible, they will do their thing.

“Playing in midfield behind them, you have so many options. You can spin one in behind them, play it to feet and go again. It’s a great platform for the midfield boys to play off.

“You can run beyond them, as well, because you know they’re going to hold it up and give you something work with. It’s great to have that kind of firepower up front.

“With those two there at the top of the pitch, you’ve always got a chance of scoring. And that is something we’re trying to work on again this season, scoring more goals.

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“When you see those two up front, it puts the fear into teams – because they have power, pace, angles, everything.”

Celtic have suffered too many bumps in the road when it comes to Europe to be complacent about any opposition.

The champions of Armenia, however, should be dealt with by a group who have gained huge experience in the last two successful attempts to get through the qualifiers.

McGregor said: “Compared to last year, I think we’ve had more experience over the last two campaigns in Europe. It’s important, getting more experience at that level, knowing how to see games out. If we get the team together, get the right shape and we work off each other, we’ve got a good chance.”