Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has exclusively told This is Futbol that young winger Karamoko Dembele needs a loan move to continue his development following a frustrating campaign.
Dembele first caught the eye when making his debut for Celtic Under-20s as a 13-year-old against Hearts in the SPFL Development League.
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But more than four years later, the teenager is struggling for opportunities in the Hoops’ first-team, making just five senior appearances, two of which has come this season and none since the draw with Hibs in January.
The teenager, who became the youngest ever player to play for a Scottish team in Europe when appearing against Cluj in the Europa League last season, has previously attracted attention from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and other top sides, and is out of contract this summer.
But McAvennie believes that a loan is exactly what the youngster needs.
“He needs to go to a smaller club to get a game,” McAvennie told This is Futbol. “It’s a shame because he’s such a good talent, but he could get lost.
“Lennon gave him a couple of chances but he didn’t take them. When he burst on the scene he was like Jimmy Johnstone, a little winger beating people and playing football. Do what Messi does, he still keeps the ball, but when he has the chance he runs at people, and that’s what good players do.
“I think he might go somewhere, he’s got to play football. I would put him on loan, I would like to keep him but his height is a problem, although he’s got to go into a team that can compensate that. But he’s got to play every week and then hopefully he can come back to Celtic – that might be an idea.”