The international break can be a strange time for Celtic at Lennoxtown.
With much of the first-team talents heading off around the world to represent their countries, there’s always less star power preparing for upcoming fixtures.
However, it is a chance for younger talents to get more focused and personalised coaching. It’s also a great opportunity to catch the eye of Celtic manager Neil Lennon.
As The Daily Record has reported, both Karamoko Dembele and Anthony Ralston were spotted training with their senior teammates yesterday, ahead of next week’s clash at home to Rangers.
Neither has seen much Celtic action of late.
Teenager Dembele has still not even started his first Celtic match and is struggling to make it into matchday squads.
Ralston meanwhile has been in and around the first-team for years now but is still only 21 and hasn’t played for the club since a win over AIK Stockholm in 2019.
The upcoming derby is unlikely to be an environment they experience on the pitch, but this break is still a great chance to show off their work ethic and push towards contention for places in the squad.
Dembele will now head off to train with elite English talents at the FA headquarters, with the national team’s U18s side.
Ralston, who spent last season out on loan at St Johnstone, will continue to be put through his paces at the Celtic training centre.
Will Lennon see something he likes ahead of a brutal fixture schedule?
In other news, Celtic fans were left very impressed by Hatem Abd Elhamed’s performance on Thursday night.
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