“The best memory of my career was scoring three goals against Rangers” Moussa Dembele

The Celtic Star

·1 November 2024

“The best memory of my career was scoring three goals against Rangers” Moussa Dembele

Moussa Dembele would never have dreamt about playing his football in Scotland yet looking back on his career highlights so far the French striker, who is now playing his football in Saudi Arabia, reckons that his top time and best moments in football came when he was at Celtic…

Moussa Dembele of Celtic takes away the match ball having scored 3 of the 5 goals during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on September 10, 2016. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

First Ever Glasgow Derby in Scottish Premiership

Dembele joined Celtic round about the time Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club first time around and going into the first ever Glasgow Derby match between Celtic and theRangers – the latest Ibrox club were playing in Scottish Premiership for the first time that season – Dembele was behind Leigh Griffiths in the pecking order at Celtic.

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However Griffiths picked up an injury and failed to make theRangers game, Dembele started and became an instant hero with the Celtic support becoming the first Celt to score a hat-trick against a Rangers club since the late-great Harry Hood in the early 1970s.

Moussa Dembele of Celtic celebrates his goal ( Celtics 2nd) with Scott Sinclair Rangers during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers on September 10, 2016. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Even after Dembele left Celtic, in somewhat controversial circumstances to join French side Lyon, Demebele’s affection for Celtic has never faltered. On coming to play in Scottish football in the first place that was a surprise even for Dembele but ultimate a decision he certainly doesn’t regret.

No Scottish regrets for Moussa

“Everything came quickly, and I had to decide with my family and friends and make sure I took the right decision for my career. Obviously, if you had told me before that I would play in Scotland then I would have said no!” Moussa said, as reported by Football Scotland.

Moussa Dembele of Celtic celebrates his 3rd goal (Celtics 4th) during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers on September 10, 2016. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

“But I think it was one of the best experiences of my life playing for Celtic. I enjoyed those two years and I’m still a big fan of Celtic and keep following the club every game. If you’d told me before my journey would be that great, I’d have signed straight away.

“The best memory of my career was scoring three goals against (the)Rangers.”

“The best memory of my career was scoring three goals against (the)Rangers. There was scoring the winner against St Etienne, scoring two in the quarter-finals (of the Champions League) for Lyon against Manchester City – there are many of them but if I had to choose one, it would probably be the hat-trick against (the)Rangers.”

Invincible by Matt Corr

Read the full story of that unbelievable Invincible season in Matt Corr’s Invincible, available from Celticstarbooks.com/shop. Matt’s new books Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two, are published on Tuesday 5th November on Celtic Star Books and you can order signed copies now.

Invincible by Matt Corr

Celtic in the Thirties, Vol One by Matt Corr. Image The Celtic Star

Celtic in the Thirties – Volume Two

🎙️ A brilliant recording today with @Boola_vogue ahead of the release of ‘Celtic In The Thirties’ An incredible era in Celtic history featuring Jimmy McGrory, Willie Maley, Johnny Thompson and many more
– Thursday, 31 October 2024