LE CAP FITS FOR DEMBELE
MIKAEL LUSTIG may have caught the headlines for his Rabona in Perth.
But the Celtic right-back insists he gets his kicks from a Celtic team who believe a treble is within their reach.
The Swede’s audacious assist in the 5-2 win over St Johnstone was a major show of confidence within a Hoops team that is now 27 points clear at the summit of the Ladbrokes Premiership with a Betfred Cup already secured.
With that in mind, today’s visit of Inverness in the Scottish Cup represents one of the biggest matches of the club’s season.
While a slip up or eight may make little difference from claiming another title, Lustig knows the dream of a trophy trio would die if the Highlanders were to inflict a low blow to Brendan Rodgers’ team.
“It is something special, not many teams have done it in Scotland or anywhere in the world. You want to be a part of that,” he said.
“We know we are going to be favourites in most of the games so we just look forward.
“Yeah, absolutely [this is the biggest game of the season], of course.
“The league looks really good but we are still hungry to break some records in the league as well but the main thing now is the cup. We want to win the cup really bad so we need to win.”
“We go into most games as favourites and we have done really well so far.
“Of course it’s a massive game. If we lose we are out. So we need to win.”
It would be remiss to not ask the 30-year-old about THAT kick at McDiarmid Park last Sunday that topped off an impressive comeback for the champions.
AT THE end of a mesmerising run on the back of 25 passes – with every Celtic player touching the ball – the reverse back heel to play the ball towards Callum McGregor and then Moussa Dembele to finish was a moment of genius.
However, Lustig has played down suggestions by some that the move was disrespectful, saying: “I would absolutely disagree that it’s disrespectful.
“Of course, if you are standing near the corner flag doing step-overs, then I can buy that. But it was a pass, and a good pass as well, so I don’t see that it’s disrespectful. I’m not sure I’m going to do it again, but we’ll see.
“I don’t practise it in train- ing. It’s something I have tried before but it is going to be a big thing when it is part of a goal.
“It was just an instinctive thing. It’s not as if I’m thinking of doing it before the game, I’m not that type of player.
“But I got the ball and it was on my left foot, so I thought ‘why not?’.
“It was a great goal. Callum’s back-heel was brilliant as well. We made over 20 passes before it, with every member of the team touching the ball, so that’s a really good goal. I’m not sure I’ve been part of a goal like that before. I’ve played in teams who have a lot of possession, so maybe.”
IT IS clear that Celtic are a team, right in the here and now, that are in the midst of something special. However, the future excites