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Ruud Gullit shares his opinion on Celtic wonderkid Karamoko Dembele

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Celtic’s 13-year-old talent Karamoko Dembele has hit the headlines this week.

Ruud GullitRuud Gullit

Former Celtic manager Ruud Gullit has told The Scottish Herald that he is excited about Karamoko Dembele’s future.

Celtic have hit the headlines this week, and it hasn’t stemmed from anything their first team have done. Instead, the focus on the Bhoys revolves around an Under-20 game against Hearts earlier this week.

General view of Celtic ParkGeneral view of Celtic Park

Celtic won the game 3-1, but the real talking point arrived when Karamoko Dembele came on as a substitute. The playmaker is just 13 years old, and was making his Under-20 debut as he took on players around seven years his senior.

Dembele was born in London to Ivorian parents, but moved to Scotland at a young age, and has been coming up through the ranks with Celtic, with many already familiar with his ability on the ball from some impressive YouTube clips.

General view inside Celtic ParkGeneral view inside Celtic Park

Now touted for a huge future, Dembele has been hailed by many this week – and former Celtic manager Ruud Gullit has now had his say on the teenage sensation.

Gullit has told The Scottish Herald that he thinks Scotland don’t have many great players, but called Dembele ‘pretty special’ having seen him in action on YouTube.

The Dutchman believes Dembele is ‘exceptionally good’, and looked to his own experience having played Under-18 football at the age of just 14, but noted that Dembele is a little on the small side right now.

Ruud GullitRuud Gullit

“Scotland don’t have many great players at the moment but they do have a new 13-year-old, who looks pretty special,” said Gullit. “I saw him playing on YouTube. What a player. He is exceptionally good and left-footed as well. I was also very young too when I made my first team debut.”

“When I was 14, I was playing with the Under-18s so that was quite a jump as well. I was bigger and stronger though, so that was different. This kid is still only small but this will help him get a physical presence. He has to deal with that so it could be an advantage for him to play with older players. I just love to see players like that but while this is great experience we also have to give him time,” he added.

Are you excited about Dembele’s future at Celtic?