Moussa Dembele Admits Glasgow Derby Hat-trick Tops His Career Highlights

Former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele has revealed his favourite career memory, and it’s one that lives on vividly in the minds of Celtic fans: his unforgettable hat-trick against Rangers in 2016.

In what was his first Glasgow derby, the Frenchman burst onto the Scottish Football scene, marking himself as a new hero at Parkhead with an electric performance that helped Celtic to a coMMAnding 5-1 win.

Reflecting on his career highs, Dembele said [Roshn Saudi Pro League via RecordSport]: “My best memory was scoring three goals against 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’s many of them, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be the hat-trick against Rangers.”

Dembele arrived at Celtic during Brendan Rodgers’ first spell in charge, a relatively unknown 20-year-old talent from Fulham.

Despite the high expectations of young strikers, Dembele quickly proved he had the poise and power to thrive in Glasgow. Within weeks, fans were chanting his name, captivated by his blend of physicality and clinical finishing.

But it was in that early September derby, in front of a raucous Celtic Park, that Dembele truly established himself.

Scoring three goals on the big stage, he became the first Celtic player in 50 years to hit a hat-trick in a league derby against Rangers.

His performance not only sealed his place in the hearts of the Parkhead faithful but also sent a message across Scottish Football that Rodgers’ men were a force to be reckoned with.

The hat-trick was Dembele’s highlight of a season in which Celtic completed an invincible treble, with the centre-forward’s goals playing a crucial role in their success.

His knack for scoring in crucial matches continued throughout his career, with standout moments in the Champions League and Ligue 1, but for Dembele, that iconic day in Glasgow remains his pinnacle.