Moussa Dembele: I have loved every goal I have scored for Celtic this season

One might have assumed the brace against Manchester City in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League or the perfect hat-trick in a pulsating 5-1 win over Rangers may have featured prominently in Dembele’s tale of the campaign.

But the striker, who has yet to rule himself out of the William Hill Scottish Cup final in just over a week, has enjoyed the entire narrative of his inaugural season in Glasgow.

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Dembele’s goal in February against St Johnstone, the culmination of a move that saw 25 passes in a 5-2 win, won the goal of the season but the 20-year-old striker believes it fits into a bigger picture.

“I would have picked all of them for goal of the season,” he said. “I think every goal has a story. I’m a striker and the best feeling for me is to score.

“When I’m in the box I will do everything to put the ball in the back of the net.

“Right foot, left foot, header, shoulder, knee, whatever.

“I think everyone has seen what I’m capable of this season and hopefully next season I will be even better.”

Arguably the most important goal of Dembele’s Celtic career was his first. Coming off the bench in a the Champions League third-round qualifier to dispatch a penalty in the final stages of a finely balanced tie against Astana was crucial not just to the club in terms of progression that ultimately led to the group stages, but also to his own career.

Had the penalty gone anywhere else but the back of the net, Dembele would have found it tough to win back the affection of a support who had yet not seen too much of him.

As it was, it proved to be a portent of what was to come with the player showing a particular aptitude for turning it on when the stage is set.

“I didn’t feel under any pressure,” he reflected of that one. “I just took the penalty and scored it. It meant a lot to me as I wanted to play in the Champions League. I know it was a big goal although I wouldn’t choose it as my favourite.”

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Dembele made his name at Fulham last year before coming to Glasgow. Celtic capitalised on cross border regulation which meant they got the striker for a nominal fee, a piece of business that is all the more impressive given the price-tag that now goes with Dembele.

The player himself had other options last summer when he opted to head north to Glasgow, with Brendan Rodgers pivotal to his decision.

And the striker has credited the Hoops boss to getting the best out of him.

I have improved a lot,” he said. “I have grown up a lot.

“Playing in the Champions League, playing week in, week out and scoring a lot of goals too.

“I have learned a lot this season and I will keep learning until I finish playing.

“I have enjoyed living in Glasgow. You can see that with my performances on the pitch.

“It was tough at the beginning because you don’t know the city but I have got to know Glasgow and it is a nice city to live.”

The tension of those Champions League qualifiers is set for an imminent return in July as Celtic begin the same journey once more.

Making it into the lucrative group stages sets the tone for the season and Dembele believes that this summer Celtic will be better prepared than last term given the experience and confidence that the squad has gained under Rodgers.

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“We have played a whole season together and have done great,” said the striker. “Next season will be better although I can’t say it will be easier.

“One thing for sure, we have improved this season and are now a better team.

“The Champions League was everything I hoped it would be.

“When you are young you watch the Champions League and want to play in it. When you do it, especially at my age then it is like a dream.

“To come up against great players was a great learning season for us. It was great experience and it was good to compare ourselves to the top clubs.

“We have seen what we have to do to get there and we will work hard to do better next season. The manager knows what he has to do to make the team better.”

Dembele has been missing since the William Hill Scottish Cup semi final win over Rangers at Hampden when he tore his hamstring in the opening period. It is widely expected that the player will not be rushed back into the team for the final against Aberdeen given the fact that he will be vital for the July qualifiers, but Dembele himself has not given up on a Hampden date.

“Do I want to play in the cup final?,” he asked. “Yes, but it is not up to me.

“It is up to the injury. I have to take my time and don’t rush back.

“If I make it then I will be happy. “