Former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele has revealed ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is more like a ‘big brother’ than a manager to him – as he named his Glasgow derby hat-trick in 2016 as his career highlight.
The 28-year-old became one of Gerrard’s first signings at Al Ettifaq in the summer of 2023 and has continued the goalscoring form that made him a hero at Parkhead, netting three goals in nine games for the Saudi Pro League side so far this season.
Dembele spent two years with the Hoops between 2016 and 2018 and would regularly troll his old foes on social media after derby triumphs, although he left Celtic for Lyon before the ex-Ibrox boss arrived in Glasgow.
Read more:
In a Roshn Saudi League interview, the French forward said of Gerrard: “He’s a legend. We’ve all seen him when we were young. For me, it’s a pleasure to work with him every day and be alongside him.
“He is the kind of manager who is listening to every single one of us. He’s trying to improve every day as a manager and make us improve as players – that’s what I like about him.
"It’s more like a relationship with your big brother rather than a coach but at the end of the day, he’s the gaffer and he makes the decisions – and I just say yes!”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here