Dembele speaks about the biggest goal of his career

Moussa Dembele says his winning goal last night was the biggest goal of his career so far as he sent Celtic to the play-off round of the Champions League.

Brendan Rodgers took the decision not to start the young striker, having failed to score in his three previous competitive starts, and was made to wait until the 75th minute before taking to the field.

As the game look destined for extra-time, the 20-year-old won back possession before nutmegging a defender and eventually being brought down inside the box.

Showing no signs of a lack of confidence, he picked the ball up and cooly placed the ball into the bottom left corner, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way.

Speaking about his tie-deciding goal to the Daily Mail, Dembele said:

It is the biggest goal of my career so far. It is the first one for this massive club and in the Champions League qualifiers, as well. It was something huge for me and I am happy about it.

I hope more goals will come now. I will keep working hard and keep putting in everything to score more. Hopefully, everything will go well for me and for the team in the future.

Dembele also revealed Rodgers’ preferred penalty taker when he and Griffiths are on the field.

I knew I would be taking it because we have a plan that if I am on the pitch then I will take them. So there was no argument between us. He took the first one and I was happy he scored and I was happy to get the second one.

The manager made a choice in terms of the starting team. I wasn’t frustrated. I was 100 per cent behind the team and wanted us to go through. That was the most important thing.

The Frenchman joined Celtic in June from Fulham for a compensation fee of around £500,000 and has slowly adapted to his new surroundings.With his first goal under his belt, Dembele will be hoping for many more moments like last night in the green and white Celtic jersey.

His winning goal, after Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring on the night only to be cancelled out by Agim Ibraimi, sent Celtic through to Friday’s play-off draw, where they will be paired with Copenhagen, Dinamo Zagreb, Dundalk, Hapoel Beer Sheva or Ludogorets.

Following his goal last night, it’s fair to say Dembele has arrived in Glasgow, and will now look to continue his goal scoring run this Sunday against Hearts in the Hoops’ league opener at Tynecastle.