By Andrew Dickson

MO EDU realised how much of an Old Firm hero he had become when Liverpool star Ryan Babel took time to congratulate him on his winner against Celtic.

It's fair to say the last 10 days have been a bit of a whirlwind for the 23-year-old former Toronto midfielder.

Introduced to the derby with Celtic as a substitute on February 28, his first touch ended up in the back of the net only for it to be disallowed for handball by Kenny Miller.

Edu's last contribution to the game was far more significant as he poked home from three yards to give Rangers a 1-0 win that hands them a huge advantage in the championship.

The next morning, he and Ibrox team-mate DaMarcus Beasley were in Amsterdam for last Wednesday's friendly between their USA national side and Holland.

Returning to Bob Bradley's squad couldn't have come at a better time for either player, given they had been out of the frame for a combined 21 months in total up to that point.

Each man made a positive impression on their comebacks, with Beasley setting up the Americans' counter in a 2-1 defeat and Edu giving a sound showing in the engine room.

Now, having looked as though their dreams of featuring at this summer's World Cup were fading fast, both are right back in contention to be called to the finals again.

But while being chosen for the squad that will face England, Madjid Bougherra's Algeria and Slovenia is a clear goal for Edu, it is club matters which mean the most for now.

Barring any major setbacks, the massive high he got from scoring against Gers' biggest rivals is likely to carry him along for some time to come.

Whether it was the goal that keeps the title in Govan or not remains to be seen but many of the club's supporters have already heralded it as that.

And the reaction to what he did against the Parkhead team has made Edu appreciate what a truly global institution he joined when he moved from the MLS in August 2008.

He said: "It has been a fantastic last few days for me in terms of getting some game time, scoring against Celtic and getting into the USA team again.

"I've had a long stretch where I've been on the sidelines through injury and to finally get back to playing has been great.

"The Old Firm winner speaks for itself. The feeling I had when it went in, the crowd roared and the team started celebrating was unbelievable.

"It was strange because I scored just a few seconds after coming on and I've been joking with people I'd have preferred it if that goal had stood instead as it was a good strike.

"But the goal I did get is something I will always remember for the rest of my life and I've had an amazing reaction from so many people about it.

"I'm sure our win coming so late was like a dagger in the heart to Celtic because they'll have been feeling they had done enough to get a draw.

"For us to put the ball in the back of the net in the last minute really stunned them deep and sunk a lot of their hopes.

"I've been getting texts, phone calls and emails from everybody in the time since and what I did has reached out to more people than I expected it would.

"When we were over in Holland, for example, a few people talked to me about the game. Ryan Babel was one of them and he congratulated me on my goal.

"Back home in the States, a lot of fans saw the game on ESPN. It has been tremendous as there has been so much support for Rangers to the extent it has been global.

"I knew before the derby how big a club this is and I was aware the support we had was worldwide.

"But until something like that goal happens and so many people show their support for you, I don't think you fully grasp the whole situation.

"It has been unreal and it has made me feel so proud to be a part of something so big and so special.

"Hopefully now there are a few more results like that, more big goals and both the club and I can keep pushing on from here."

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