MOUSSA Dembele, who became the first Celtic player in 50 years to record a hat-trick against Rangers in a league game earlier this season, has insisted he can score more when the two sides meet again at Parkhead tomorrow.
Dembele netted three times in a resounding 5-1 triumph over the Ibrox club in a Ladbrokes Premiership game in September despite it being his debut in the Glasgow derby. The last player to achieve the feat was Stevie Chalmers back in 1966.
However, the 20-year-old, who took his tally for the 2016/17 campaign to 32 with his strike in the 4-1 victory over St. Mirren in the William Hill Scottish Cup final last Sunday, believes he is capable of doing even better.
“I could have scored more,” he said. “If I scored three then I could score five. But I still wouldn’t be happy because I had scored five. I once scored six in an under-13 game. I just have to take it game by game and get ready for Sunday. Hopefully we can win the game.
“But I hope it is going to be even more than three. For me, when I go on the pitch, I try to do my best to help the team get three points. If I can score it is great, if not it is good to help the team get three points.”
Dembele has scored in all three games against Rangers this season; he grabbed a late winner in the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden in October and equalised in the league game at Ibrox on Hogmanay.
The former Fulham player, who cost just £500,000 last summer and has been repeatedly linked with a £30 million move to Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea in the close season, believes big occasions bring out the best in him.
“I love big games,” he said. “I am just ready for them. I don’t know. It’s not about them, it’s just about me. When I’m on the pitch I just try and give 100 per cent.
“As I say, I just like big games. I always try to give 100 per cent. But that isn’t just true in the big games, it’s true in the small games as well. I try to give 100 per cent every time. But my best play comes in big games. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Having scored five times in three consecutive victories over Rangers this season, Dembele is expecting to be subjected to some close attention from the opposition defence at Parkhead tomorrow.
However, the French Under-21 internationalist is undeterred by the treatment which he is sure to attract. “I think they will probably try to stop me, but that isn’t a change from any other team in the league,” he said. “Everyone tries to stop the team and stop me from scoring goals. But when I am on the pitch I just focus on myself and on my team. I don’t really care about that.”
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