Which of these six Celtic teens will Karamoko Dembele emulate?

Karamoko Dembele set a new benchmark when it came to Celtic appearances with his nine minute cameo in the Development League win over Hearts creating worldwide attention.

Almost immediately comparisons were drawn with Islam Feruz with the reaction being the hope that there are no career parallels between the two kids.

Managing teenage wonderkids through to match their potential is a demanding task with Paul McStay the most obvious role model. Before he had got close to his 20th birthday McStay was forming the backbone of the Celtic team, a role he continued in until forced to retire through injury.

McStay shot to fame in a schoolboy international that Scotland won 5-4 at Wembley alongside Celtic team-mates John Sludden and Ronnie Coyle who made their mark in the game at Ayr United and Raith Rovers.

With the memories of Bob Kelly’s Kids and the Quality Street Gang etched on the history of the club there will always be demands to discover the next superstar coming through the ranks.

In most cases there are moments of glory followed by the crash to reality. David Marshall and Tony Watt played their parts in wins over Barcelona while others like Gerry Creaney, Simon Donnelly and Cillian Sheridan enjoyed moments in the spotlight

CLICK HERE for six teen superstars

 

ISLAM FERUZ

Before he had left Celtic the grapevine was predicting the self inflicted demise of the Somali born player.

Having been closely associated with Tommy Burns he made a brief but impressive appearance in the memorial match for the much loved former Celtic manager.

London and Chelsea was exactly the wrong career move despite the economic benefits. A loan spell at Hibs was typically unproductive with similar chapters littering his career- ineffective on the park and out of control away from it.

 

JOHN KENNEDY

As a 16-year-old Kennedy was brought into the Celtic first team by Kenny Dalglish just a week after making his debut for the reserve side.

With Dalglish in temporary charge it was a difficult time for the club but Kennedy made enough of an impression to remain in the first team squad under Martin O’Neill although opportunities were limited.

After waiting patiently it looked like a first team place was opening up but within a week of starring against Barcelona in the UEFA Cup his career was virtually over after a vicious assault on his Scotland debut.

 

MARK FOTHERINGHAM

A legend in his own lunchtime Fozzy went on to have a nomadic career that never fulfilled his own often quoted expectations.

Some wizardry in a youth team match made him an early star of the internet as he replaced Kennedy as the youngest player to play in a competitive match.

Patience was never a virtue for the midfielder from Dundee who moved on to his home town club despite making a few appearances under Martin O’Neill.

Last season he surfaced at Livingston with stints in places ranging from Fulham, Cyprus and Germany creating a colourful and varied CV.

 

PAUL GEORGE

Made an appearance as a 15-year-old against AZ Alkmaar in a bizarre friendly that was watched by 2,000 fans while 10,000 were at Hampden watching Celtic win the SFA Youth Cup against Rangers (IL).

George’s progress to the top seemed on schedule when he made his competitive debut away to Ross County in a League Cup tie in September 2011 but by the end of that season his career was hanging by a thread after a brutal tackle from Lewis Mac Leod during a 3-0 win at Ibrox.

Short term deals at Hamilton and Dunfermline never worked out before he returned to Ireland before trying his luck in Australia with Ballarat Red Devils

MICHAEL MCGLINCHY

Played in a testimonial against Wycombe Wanderers in October 2002 following his decision to sign for Celtic rather than Manchester United.

With his slight frame he was always up against the odds with spells at Motherwell and Dunfermline failing to properly develop his early potential.

A move to Australian side Central Coast Mariners brought him regular first team football as well as a place in New Zealand’s 2010 World Cup squad although he failed to make an appearance in South Africa. He did however make one competitive appearance for Celtic as a substitute under Gordon Strachan.

 

ROY AITKEN

Without doubt the biggest success story after making his first team debut as a 16-year-old schoolkid picked by Jock Stein.

From 1978 onwards Aitken was barely out of the Celtic team playing a key role in some of the club’s greatest days including the 4-2 match, Centenary Double, Love Street and the 1985 Scottish Cup Final.

Aitken was a true Celtic great captaining the club from midfield and defence before moving on to Newcastle United followed by spells at Aberdeen and St Mirren where he managed to pick up a Scotland cap.