MIGHTY MOUSS
Dembele hits form at just right time
ONE French striker ignited another at Parkhead as Odsonne Edouard and Moussa Dembele broke Morton’s resistance. At 0-0, this Scottish Cup quarter-final tie lacked any real spark – which suited the Greenock side and gaffer Jim Duffy. But Edouard’s arrival from the bench was the catalyst for pal Dembele to burst into life and Ton’s defence couldn’t live with them. Dembele grabbed a double – one from the penalty spot – before sub Edouard put the icing on the cake to seal a semi-final spot. It wasn’t a sizzling display from Brendan Rodgers’ side on a bitter Glasgow afternoon. But the Hoops boss praised the impact of on-loan PSG kid Edouard who put himself in contention for next week’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox. Rodgers (right) said: “I thought Odsonne was very good and he made a huge difference to us. “He’s a young player I rate highly because he can play in a number of positions. “He has strength, power and he threatens in behind. He’s quick but he can also link our play. “I felt he and Moussa occupied their back four because of their pace. Odsonne had two good chances before he scored his goal and he’s someone I’ll consider for next week against Rangers.”
But for Rodgers’ side, the lack of atmosphere and empty seats was a problem early on.
His players struggled to get themselves up for it without the backing of a capacity crowd.
Their performance in the first half laboured and pedestrian, which played right into the Greenock’s side’s hands.
But the introduction of Edouarde breathed new life into Celtic after the break. Gaston had clawed away a longrange hit from Olivier Ntcham just before the opener but he could do little about Dembele’s goal. Rogic stood up a peach of a cross and the striker bulleted a header in off the bar. Five minutes later Morton were out of it. Michael Doyle fouled Dembele who dusted himself down and buried the penalty for 2-0. Gaston prevented a Dembele hattrick late on when he tipped over but Edouard – who’d made a telling impact – grabbed the third in injury time from Forrest’s assist.