Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers could hand teenager Karamoko Dembele his first ever senior appearance in the coming weeks with his 16th birthday around the corner, according to the Scottish Sun.
The newspaper claim on their website that with the promising youngster hitting the required age on Friday (22nd February) and after taking part in numerous first team training sessions, the striker could break the record for the youngest ever Celtic player as early as Sunday, with the home clash against Motherwell.
Jack Aitchison is currently the holder of that record at an age of 16 years and 71 days but with Karamoko said to be close to making his debut, the current 15-year-old could trump his teammate.
Opinion
What a way to make fans feel old. Many of the supporters at Celtic Park nowadays might have been Dembele’s age when they first visited for a match yet the youngster is said to be closing in on making a debut. The old adage goes if you are good enough you are old enough but there must be questions asked over whether he has the maturity and mental strength to come up against players potentially double his age and more developed on a physical basis. How would the young star react if he was kicked to pieces by a particularly robust defence, or if he missed an absolute sitter in front of goal? Some might say that these are learning curves that need to be undertaken by any player hoping to make it in the professional game but it is different playing youth football with people your age to trying to lead the line for one of the biggest clubs in Scotland in a title race. Aitchison obviously made an immediate impact, netting on his debut, but is currently out on loan and there is no guarantee that Dembele will be able to replicate his teammate’s efforts. What happens then?