Celtic starlet Karamoko Dembele makes reserve debut aged just 15… and scores against Partick Thistle
The 15-year-old, handed the No7 shirt, shot to stardom aged 13 after coming off the bench for the club’s development side in 2016
KARAMOKO DEMBELE scored a stunning solo goal after being handed his first start for Celtic’s reserves in their 6-0 win over Partick Thistle.
The 15-year-old – who shot to stardom aged 13 after in 2016 – lined up against Thistle in the City of Glasgow Cup this afternoon.
And he put his side 3-0 up after just 13 minutes with a stunning solo goal.
Tommy McIntyre's side went on to seal their place in the next round with Dembele being joined by Lewis Bell, Ciaran Diver, double-scorer Kerr McInroy and Paul Kennedy on the score-sheet.
Dembele - handed the No7 jersey - can make his first-team debut in February when he turns 16.
In a rare interview last month, the London-born teenager admitted his development debut changed his life forever.
That appearance prompted interest from some of Europe's top clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.
: "It was crazy because it took my life to a different level.
"I couldn’t do the stuff that I was doing before so I had to mature quick.
“It was mentally difficult, but you’ve got your family to support you and that helps. That helped me a lot.”
Brendan Rodgers name-checked the Bhoys kid - who has played for both Scotland and England at youth level - in February when discussing the development of Hearts youngster Harry Cochrane, 17.
The ex-Liverpool boss said: "From a talent perspective I could probably put Karamoko Dembele in to the first team right now.
"But he’s coming up to 15.
"I have to think about where he is at in terms of his maturation level. Not just his talent level."
Rodgers wasn't pleased when Dembele, raised in Govan, was handed his second-team bow at the age of 13.
He said: "I didn’t know he was playing. But that’s not the point, the point is that he has played.
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"He’s a kid, that’s what he is. He’s not a 13-year-old in the body of a 19-year-old or with an advanced maturation level.
"He looks 13 in as much as where his ability is and how fast he is.
"I’m a father, we are parents and as good as they are, I worry from a father’s perspective."
The Celtic first-team's iconic No7 shirt is vacant following Patrick Roberts' summer departure.