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Celtic’s new Dembele
- Updated: October 4, 2016
Karamoko Dembele made his debut for Celtic’s U20 side aged just 13 – so who is he and what’s all the fuss about?
Hoops fans already have a hero named Dembele – French forward Moussa has scored 12 goals for the Scottish champions since signing from Fulham in the summer – but prodigious namesake Karamoko could soon be thrilling the Parkhead hordes after being fast-tracked through the ranks.
The 13-year-old turned out for Celtic’s development squad – seven years above his age group – in a 3-1 win over Hearts on Monday evening and, according to the club’s official website, “the diminutive playmaker didn’t look out of place”.
What’s caught the eye of youth chiefs and how soon might he make his way into Brendan Rodgers’ first-team plans? Here’s the lowdown on the Celtic prodigy already likened to Lionel Messi – including a closer look at him in action …
What’s his background?
Born in 2003 – the year Henrik Larsson was firing for Martin O’Neill’s side – to parents from the Ivory Coast, Dembele currently juggles his schoolwork at St Ninians High School in Kirkintilloch with his burgeoning football career.
He starred for Celtic U15s against European opposition this summer, leaving defenders from Barcelona, Lyon, Deportivo La Coruna and West Brom in a spin at the St Kevin’s Boys Academy Cup in Dublin.
His performances there saw him …
