Ex-Celtic prodigy Karamoko Dembele makes Golden Boy final shortlist despite Hoops exit as Rangers star also selected
KARAMOKO DEMBELE has been nominated for the Golden Boy award despite failing to break into Ange Postecoglou's side.
The highly-rated winger entered the final year of his contract last season but he didn't manage to make a name for himself in the Hoops first team after suffering a long-term injury in pre-season last summer.
He was set for game time after getting minutes in Postecoglou's first friendlies in charge.
But after months on the sidelines, he failed to break his way into the team after fans waited for years to see him shine at Parkhead.
He made just two appearances for Celtic in last year's campaign, playing just 20 minutes of action.
But that hasn't stopped him from getting his name in the prestigious shortlist, following his French switch to join Stade Brest.
Tuttosport narrowed the list for the Golden Boy award to 80 players.
It's awarded to the player considered the best rising talent playing in Europe during the calendar year, and is voted for by sports journalists.
Barcelona wonderkid Pedri, and new Man City striker Erling Haaland were the previous winners.
Aaron Hickey, who has joined Brentford, has made the cut and was also nominated last year, along with fellow Scotland kid Billy Gilmour.
Most read in Sport
New Rangers signing and on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder Malik Tillman is another familiar name who has been tipped for the trophy this year as well.
Borussia Dortmund’s England international Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid starlet Eduardo Camavinga are the two favourites for the award though, which will be revealed in November.
Meanwhile, Celtic have booted out an approach from Toulouse for Stephen Welsh.
The Ligue 1 side wanted the Scotland Under-21s defender to bolster their defence for the new season.
But SunSport understands Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou is keen to keep Welsh, 22, who is ahead of Christopher Jullien in the pecking order.
Postecoglou last week signed stopper Moritz Jenz on loan from Lorient after losing Nir Bitton and Liam Scales from his squad for this season.
In January the Hoops knocked back a loan approach from Italian side Udinese for Welsh, who has three years left on his Parkhead contract.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page