13-year-old Karamoko Dembele made his debut for Celtic’s U-20s side on Monday taking to the field for the development squad against players seven years his senior.
The old adage, “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough” came to pass as he came on for Jack Aitchison during Celtic’s game against Hearts whom they beat 3-1.
According to the club’s website “the diminutive playmaker,” born in 2003, “didn’t look out of place and played his part in the closing stages.”
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Dembele has already been labelled as the “new Lionel Messi.” He was this summer unanimously named Player of the Tournament at both the Bassevelde Cup in Belgium and the prestigious St Kevin’s Boys Club Academy Cup. On the way to claiming the award, Dembele even made youngsters from the feted Barcelona academy look ordinary.
The teenager was born in 2003 to parents from the Ivory Coast. He currently juggles his schoolwork at St Ninians High School in Kirkintilloch with his burgeoning football career.
STYLE OF PLAY
Footage of the precocious Dembele’s eye for goal and penchant for a trick emerged back in August – and swiftly went viral.
According to coaching website KeepItOnThe Deck, Dembele is an “explosive winger with incredible power and pace for one so young” but he can spark attacks from the centre of midfield as well as cutting in from the wing.
“None of the Barca lads could get near him,’ was their verdict after the Dublin tournament. “He was just too quick and skilful. Barcelona coaches took note of him.” His direct running and quick feet as he uses his low centre of gravity bamboozles opponents.
WHAT NEXT FOR KARAMOKO?
Of course it is still early days for Dembele, and he has a long way to go before he can translate a nine-minute cameo with the U20s to the rigors of professional football. But his age has already proved no barrier to his development and in another potential omen, he replaced 16-year-old Jack Aitchison with eight minutes to go on Monday night – news of his arrival sparking a flurry of Twitter activity.
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“Karamoko is still a young boy and has a lot of growing to do, both physically and mentally,” head of youth, Chris McCart, told the club’s website. “The coaches at our U13 and 14 levels have been fantastic in nurturing his potential but it is crucial that we do not push him too far, too soon.
“He has a lot of hard work ahead of him to make it to the top and we won’t rush that, but we also know Karamoko, and the other talented young players we have here, is at the perfect place to continue his progress and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rogers has already made it clear he wants the Hoops academy to produce the next generation of “Champions League young players” and, having nurtured the likes of Raheem Sterling at Liverpool, will surely have an eye on the 13-year-old.
