Karamoko Dembele encouraged by Neil Lennon’s interest in Celtic academy

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic youngster Karamoko Dembele is encouraged by manager Neil Lennon taking such a keen interest in the club’s academy talents, speaking in an interview with The Celtic View (04/03 print edition, page 41).

Dembele is one of a number of youngsters that Lennon has turned to over the last 12 months to add a bit of youthful enthusiasm to his first-team.

Summer signing Jeremie Frimpong has been a stand-out in senior action with Stephen Welsh and Scott Robertson also getting game time.

Dembele cited that latter duo as an example of players who have provided inspiration for others in the development squad to push on and earn a place in the starting eleven.

The 17-year-old is also hugely encouraged that Lennon is often seen at reserve matches and takes a keen personal interest in all of the academy talents.

As quoted by The Celtic View (04/03 print edition, page 41), he said: “The fact that we know Neil Lennon is invested in the Academy is great for us, and we know that if we work hard, there’s always a chance we’ll get an opportunity to go and play with the first team.

“Nothing is a given though, we need to work hard all the time, and that’s what we always intend to do as a team.”

Lennon knows how tricky it is to balance first-team youth development while maintaining the standards required to push for multiple trophies every season.

There may be some fans who have been frustrated not to see more of players such as a Dembele but with Ryan Christie and James Forrest contributing towards so many goals this term, it’s hard for a young player to fit in.

What we do know is that Lennon is constantly checking in on the young team’s progress personally, not taking their talent or development for granted in the slightest.

We have to trust that he will use them in senior action when he thinks they are ready.

As Dembele explains above, that presence and personal touch is also a huge motivating factor for the teenagers aiming to be the next big thing in the senior side.