Sudden Impact

In the space of just 24 minutes after coming on as a substitute, Moussa Dembele scored a hat-trick to help the Hoops to another impressive domestic win.

- Paul Cuddihy

ANY player who comes on as a substitute during a game is determined to try and have a positive impact on proceedings. That’s what is demanded of them by the manager, particularly if the scoreline is not a positive one.

So when Moussa Dembele entered the fray at McDiarmid Park on Sunday on the 59th minute, with the Hoops trailing by 2-1, there would have been hope, if not expectation, that he might be able to help swing the game in Celtic’s favour.

To say that he did so would be an understatement. He scored Celtic’s equaliser with his first touch of the ball, converting a penalty after referee Craig Thomson had adjudged Keith Watson to have handled the ball from a Kieran Tierney cross.

And after just 24 minutes on the park, the young French striker completed his hat-trick as Brendan Rodgers’ side ran out 5-2 winners to maintain their impressive unbeaten domestic run this season, which now stretches to 29 games – 28 victories and just one draw.

Not only that, but the 20-year-old completed his treble by finishing off a superb team goal that saw every Celtic player, including Craig Gordon, touch the ball in a 24-pass move, culminating in some tricks and flicks from Mikael Lustig and Callum McGregor before Dembele coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

It will certainly be a leading contender for goal of the season, and offers a perfect illustration of the teamwork and team spirit the manager has fostered in the squad this season.