Neil Lennon compares Celtic’s Karamoko Dembele to Aiden McGeady & Shaun Maloney

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Celtic’s Karamoko Dembele will be looking to make a name for himself in pre-season in order to increase his chances of playing in the first-team ahead of the new Scottish Premiership campaign.

Neil Lennon has confirmed that Celtic youngster Karamoko Dembele will be given a chance to impress in the first-team next season as he compared him with Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney.

The 16-year-old was given his senior debut towards the back end of last season, and whilst he didn’t put the ball into the back of the net, he definitely impressed those in Parkhead on that day.

Dembele’s age may put off some managers in pushing him into the senior set-up, but that is something Lennon isn’t doing ahead of the new Scottish Premiership campaign.

The Bhoys are currently in pre-season training in Austria and Lennon has admitted that the ‘talented’ player is ready to show what he’s about.

“Karamoko is ready for it, to be training with the first team and dipping in and out,” Lennon told the Times. “That is all part of his development. He’s a very talented player. He isn’t fazed, and yes, we have to treat him very carefully. But being around the older players can help him and it’s good to become familiar with the first-team environment.

“We have to very mindful of his age and development, but you don’t want to curtail talent, either. Wayne Rooney was one who made his debut at 16, too [for Everton in 2002]. I’m not saying Karamoko is going to be as good as him, because they are different types, but now I think he should be mixing with the first team.

“Aiden McGeady was young when he came in. Shaun Maloney was only just turned 18 when he made his debut at Ibrox as a sub. Karamoko is certainly part of the first-team squad now. He is in the mix.”

Dembele’s preference is to play on that right-hand side, but he can showcase his versatility by playing across the forward line as he could be a secret weapon for Lennon ahead of the new campaign.

Whilst Dembele won’t be starting matches on a regular basis, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him coming off the bench and being a threat for his team.

Celtic and Lennon will be chasing their ninth Premiership title in a row next season and they will need every bit of attacking threat they can eke out of the team.