Celtic fans got a glimpse into the future, possibly the near future, at tonight’s SFA Youth Cup Final at Hampden.
A 3-2 defeat in the Glasgow derby didn’t make for pleasant viewing but there were more than a few crumbs of comfort to take from the performance.
Most eyes were on Karamoko Dembele with the 16-year-old showing some explosive runs and great dribbling while being subjected to some brutal attacks that largely went unpunished.
Neil Lennon talked earlier in the day about integrating the England youth internationalist into the first team squad with tonight’s display doing his cause no harm.
Celtic’s other top performers were Cameron Harper who pulled a goal back almost straight from the kick off to the second half while goalkeeper Liam Hughes pulled off a penalty save at 3-2 that ensured that the young Celts pushed the match all the way to the final moments.
They might have left Hampden with runners-up medals but Dembele, Harper and Hughes could follow Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest back to the national stadium on first team duty.
Karamoko Dembele getting an early introduction as to how Sevco Seniors will attempt to stop him (aided and abetted by the refs) when he hits the first team! ????
— Gerard Gough (@gerardgough) April 25, 2019
Impressed by a few tonight. Hughes in goal, Coffey, Karamoko Dembele, Armstrong Oko-Flex, Harper and the lad that came on at half time. Good players on both sides. @ScottishFA https://t.co/EDkLyU2Nsz
— A (@MagicMaldini) April 25, 2019
I think Karamoko Dembele might be the best player to have ever lived
— – (@OSN1601) April 25, 2019
Wee Karamoko Dembele was untouchable in that game
— JJMT (@mct08) April 25, 2019
Karamoko Dembele. Pler
— mark crossley (@_markcrossley) April 25, 2019
State of these grown men on Twitter slating Karamoko Dembele. He’s a 16 year old boy, chill out and away back to your crisps
— Sara (@LokidHFB) April 25, 2019
karamoko dembele is some player ????
— Bradley Neish (@bradleyneish) April 25, 2019
That young karamoko dembele just floats past players.
— George R (@geobhoy67) April 25, 2019
Karamoko Dembele u are a wee star x
— Oran (@oranstorrie99) April 25, 2019
