Living the dream if Celts can book group-stage spot
Moussa aims to emulate his boyhood heroes
MOUSSA DEMBELE can’t wait to make the transition from Champions League cheerleader to centre-stage participant.
The 20-year-old Frenchman will line up for Celtic against Hapoel Be’er Sheva on Wednesday night for the home leg of the competition’s play-off.
And, while it is the £20 million-plus on offer for the winner which will interest the club’s money men, for Dembele it is the thought of the footballing possibilities the group stages would throw up that has him desperate to help get the Hoops through.
“It would be a dream for me to play in this competition as I’ve been watching it all my life,” said the former Fulham man.
“I grew up watching the Champions League as one of the biggest competitions in European and world football.
“My heroes were Ronaldinho, the Brazilian Ronaldo, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry, and Nicolas Anelka.
“These were the types of players I liked as an attacker and they all did well in the Champions League. I just thought these guys were the best and wanted to be like them.
“I didn’t follow one particular team. I just watched every big team and every big game and just enjoyed it.
“The one that sticks in my mind is the 2005 Final between Liverpool and AC Milan.
“That’s the one I remember the most as there aren’t too many games like that. And for it to happen in a Champions League Final was just crazy.
“It was one of the first games I remember as I was about nine years old at the time. Even back then I knew I wanted to become a footballer. As soon as I started playing, I knew I wanted to become a professional.
“So to be there doing it myself i nstead of watching would be amazing, something crazy.”
The closest he has got so far was going to the Emirates to cheer on good friend Kingsley Coman in
Bayern Munich’s tie against Arsenal.
“We played together for seven years at age levels for PSG and the national team so we’re very close,” he said.
“So when Bayern came to London I went and sat with his family.
“He has already made it to the very top level of the game ( at 19, Coman has already played for PSG, Juventus and Bayern).
“I am happy for him, he deserves it, and now it is up to me to do my job and, hopefully, get my team up to the same level.”
It was a Dembele injury-time penalty kick against Astana which put Celtic through to the play-offs and he insists he will have no qualms if he finds himself on the spot again onWednesday.
“I didn’t take the penalties at Fulham, Ross McCormack did. But as soon as I came to Celtic, the manager made me the penalty taker so I was happy,” he said.
“I don’t feel any pressure, I just focus on the ball and the keeper and that’s it.
“So far I’ve taken two and scored two, and I hope to continue like that.”