Moussa loves the big game
From Back Page half a century to score a hat-trick in a league Old Firm derby in the 5-1 demolition of Gers in September before scoring the winner in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden and netting in the Hogmanay Ibrox win.
No one has ever scored in five in a row but with two games with their rivals still to come this term Dembele will fancy his chances if he can find the net tomorrow.
Legends Jimmy Johnstone and John Hartson scored in four consecutive Old Firm league matches but a goal for the Frenchman would lift him to another level.
The ex-Fulham frontman – who has netted a staggering 32 goals this season – goes into the Parkhead clash having scored in the last six games.
Hoops boss Rodgers said: “Moussa is a big-game player and that’s why he’ll have a really good career. That’s what big players do – they live for the big games.
“You can see it in him. You need personality and belief in abundance – and he has it.
“He can go into cauldrons and big games with big pressure and those type of players take it on, embrace it and love it. It’s that personality trait – he loves it.
“He’s 20 but he knows what he is. He still has work to do but he always turns up in the big games because he has that motivation.”
Dembele comes alive in the penalty box but Rodgers admitted there’s nobody more laid-back.
That’s why people assumed he was in the huff when he sauntered off after being substituted against Hamilton recently, denying him a chance of a hat-trick.
Rodgers said: “He’s relaxed. When you saw him walk off the pitch recently that’s how he walks. People thought he was in a mood but that’s how he walks.
“If he was in London in rush hour that’s how he’d walk. On team walks, he’s just casual.”
Dembele fired six blanks in a row during December but roared back to red-hot form after a winter break in the heat of Dubai.
Rodgers said: “December was cold – it was a bleak month with nine hard games.
“January in Dubai gave him some sunshine and a vitamin D boost.
“His goal last week comes from a throw-in right down near the corner flag. Moussa sets it back and he’s about 20 yards from the byeline.
“By the time it goes forward he’s the furthest player in the box to get the tap-in. Not many see the 85 yards he has made up to get there. He has hunger to be a top player.”