Celtic fans were thrilled to discover that Karamoko Dembele had scored his first goal in senior football with a strike in the Reserve League winner over Hearts.
Two and a half years ago the then 13-year-old made headlines everywhere when he made a 10 minute cameo appearance in a Development League match against the same opponents.
The new look Reserve League doesn’t permit anyone under 16 from playing but once that hurdle was overcome Dembele made his debut in the 1-0 win over Hearts.
Armstrong Oko-Flex scored the winner at Rugby Park but today it was his 16-year-old team-mate that won the day with a late free kick that deceived the Hearts keeper and slipped into the net at the far post.
It was a hard, physical and demanding test for the most talked about teenager in the Scottish game but a challenge that he came though with flying colours.
Dembele had to drop deep at times to help out at the back after Hearts turned the match around to level the scores at 2-2 midway through the second half. Dropping deeper allowed the 16-year-old to run at Hearts, shrugging aside much of the physical treatment that was getting dished out.
It was a tough shift but even in the last 10 minutes Dembele was able to get on the ball and dribble at pace for 30 or 40 yards.
Today’s display answered any questions about his physicality, with more outings like this he must be getting closer to appearing in front of more than the 400 inside Cappielow today.
Well done young man. Can’t wait until you pot them for the big club.
— John Bradshaw (@JBLuvsCeltic) March 11, 2019
Hit Compper last pic.twitter.com/AIDJ3sPEdV
— Sean (@SeanP_T) March 11, 2019
Don’t rob young Commper of the goal ???? classless
— Martino (@martino67_) March 11, 2019
He is going to be some player
— William (@WilliamHart98) March 11, 2019
Get in, @kdembele_10
— Steve Pringle (@StevenPringle2) March 11, 2019
First team soon!!!
— Kevin (@celtickev) March 11, 2019
KARAMOKO DEMBELE SCORES WITH FLIGHTED FREE KICK AND THE JAMBOS ARE RAGIN!
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) March 11, 2019
Karamoko has the beating of the Jambo left back already.
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) March 11, 2019
5 Bobby Burns fouls @kdembele_10 he is in for a tough afternoon
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) March 11, 2019