It’s Dembele Day in Paradise

KARAMOKO DEMBELE lit up Celtic Park in the second half today as Celtic defeated Hearts 2-1 on Trophy Day at Celtic Park.

Both goals were scored by young Mikey Johnston at the start and end of the match with Scott Bain at fault for the Hearts equaliser in the first half.

Neil Lennon made eight changes from the side that lost at Ibrox last week. And Scotland’s Player of the Year James Forrest was also missing – as he was last week – but this time he wasn’t really missed.

Oli Burke was the striker in the first half but didn’t manage to get involved and was replaced by the 16 year old Dembele at the interval and what an impact the youngster made.

And had captain for the day Scotty Sinclair allowed him to take a free-kick at the edge of the D, it could have been a sensational moment in Paradise – a fairytale as Cesar would say.

Both teams played well today – Hearts surprisingly showed they could get the ball down and play some nice football but we can’t read too much into that with Saturday’s cup final in mind. Both sides will have a different look about them and there will be much more at stake.

There were some strange goings on at the presentation with a huge number of medals being handed out to those who contributed and those who didn’t including Maryan Shved who hasn’t been in Glasgow for a full week and Marven Compper who presumably was picking up Celtic’s Hide and Seek award for the second successive season – and he got a huge ironic cheer as the Celtic support saw the funny side of the situation.

Dedryck Boyata was there too, on the day that Hertha Berlin officially announced he’d be joining them and the Belgian was booed unfortunately. He apparently has given an interview that points to there being another side of that particular story.

The other Dembele- Moussa, was there too and certainly enjoyed his return to Paradise, something that was possible with Rodgers away.

Kieran Tierney acknowledged The Bhoys up in the corner of the Jock Stein Stand by taking one of their huge flags onto the park, just as Leigh Griffiths was wrapping a scarf around the goalpost – a statement of intent from the number 9 for next term.

Lenny spoke well, from what you were able to hear anyway and plenty of us at the game were keen to chant his name and show him our heartfelt appreciation for all he done this season and over the years.

Now onto Hampden and a Treble Treble. Anyone know how the World Beaters got on down at Rugby Park? Forgot all about them….

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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