Celtic striker Morten Rasmussen says he is claiming two goals against Dunfermline because that is what a striker does. Rasmussen scored Celtic’s second goal in their 4-2 Scottish Cup win but also claimed credit for their third, despite it being given as a Calum Woods own goal.
The Danish forward was in the danger zone when Diomasy Kamara played the ball into the box but although Rasmussen was stretching for the ball, Woods got the final touch to send it into the net. Celtic’s new signing said there was still some doubt over the goal and he wanted to count it as his third strike for the club.
“Our third wasn’t definitely an own goal,” Rasmussen said. “I was going after the ball and the defender might have touched it a little but I’m taking the goal and that way it’s two for me in the game.”
“I have to claim it, that’s what a striker does.
“I’m trying to do my best and fight for every ball and be in the box.”
The Dane may not have been entirely serious in his claim but his predatory instincts have added a cutting edge to Celtic’s play in his appearances so far. The ex-Brondby forward is competing with marc Antoine-Fortune, Georgios Samaras, Kamara and Robbie Keane for a place in Celtic’s attack and he said that playing alongside the Irishman would give him more opportunities to get on the scoresheet.
“It’s nice to play alongside Robbie Keane, he’s a great player,” he said.
“You can see opposing players are looking a little more at him and that means the other players get more space.
“All of the new guys are playing okay but the most important thing is to win and move on and we did that.”
Keane grabbed his first goal for Celtic with a second-half penalty after coming off the bench at half-time. Tony Mowbray revealed later that he had not started the Irishman because he was saving him for Wednesday night’s SPL game against Hearts. However, with Celtic drawing 2-2 with Dunfermline at half-time he introduced the on-loan Spurs forward to great effect.
The Celtic manager said he had been happy with the contribution all of his forwards made to the match.
“Morten Rasmussen got a goal because he plays in the killer zone on the park,” he added.
“Diomansy Kamara got a goal and gave us an extra dimension at the same time.
“And Robbie was quality and class put together.”
