The 13-year-old made his debut for the Bhoys’ Under-20s this week.
Talksport pundit Perry Groves believes Celtic made a mistake in playing 13-year-old Karamoko Dembele in their Under-20 team this week.
Dembele, who is no relation to Bhoys namesake Moussa, made a cameo appearance in Monday’s 3-1 win against Hearts and became an overnight sensation.
Moussa Dembele
According to reports, European heavyweights Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have all had their interest piqued, while it is said that the English FA are considering an approach for the London-born teen.
In light of this, Groves feels Celtic will be kicking themselves over their handling of the player – although in defence of manager Tommy McIntyre, his squad was heavily depleted by international call-ups.
“I bet the Celtic coaches now wish they hadn’t put him in the Under-20s,” the former Arsenal winger told Talksport on Friday morning. “He’s far too good for the Under-13s. It’s too easy for him, and then you get into bad habits. So you go right: go and play in the Under-14s, 15s, 16s.
“If he’s ready for the Under-20s, great. Obviously he was, but if they hadn’t have put him in the Under-20s there wouldn’t be this much interest in him.”
Groves (right)
Groves, who himself was a football wonderkid – making his Colchester United debut at 16, also has advice for Dembele’s parents in the wake of the alleged interest in their son.
He said: “I would say: ‘tell Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG and to go away. Thanks for the interest but my son is quite happy playing his football where he is. He’s happy in his environment, playing with his mates.’
Dembele, whose parents hail from the Ivory Coast, moved to Glasgow at the age of five and previously impressed at an under-15s tournament in Dublin earlier this summer.
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