Karamoko set for Celtic contract talks; Mikey Johnston injury latest

By John McGinley

March 4, 2022

Ange Postecoglou has eased expectations of what to expect from Karamoko Dembele after he returned from long-term injury to Celtic action on Wednesday night.

Karamoko had been out injured since pre-season after being on the receiving end of a horror Bristol City tackle.

Having spent time getting up to speed with Celtic B, he made an appearance off the bench against St Mirren.

Postecoglou is aiming to use him more over the coming weeks, but has tempered expectations on the kind of impact he can make.

The manager also revealed Mikey Johnston is back in training after his recent injury and that Karamoko is set to hold contract talks with the club.

Speaking his press conference today [YouTube], Postecoglou said: “It’s his first tentative steps. He’s still a long way off being able to be a meaningful contributor because he missed so much football. The idea is we try and get him some more game time in the B team to build his fitness up.

“He’s one I was looking forward to working with. Unfortunately, the injury meant he has missed the majority of the season but he’s been training with us since he’s been back healthy.

“We’ve got competition in those wide areas so that’s his challenge. Mikey Johnston is now back training as well. For me, with those kinds of players it’s about giving them opportunity and allowing them to develop.

“With the contract side of things, it’s kind of a two-way thing. That’ll depend on Karamoko himself and where he sees his future. We’ll sit down at the appropriate time with him and try to map out what’s best for him and what he thinks is best for him, then we’ll come to a decision.”

Karamoko has long been a hyped talent at the Bhoys and it’d certainly be a shame to see him leave the club before he got the chance to really prove himself in a Celtic shirt.

Injuries have been part of that of course, which is the bad luck that can happen in football.

I still have hopes both parties can lay out a pathway for him at the club and he can finally start to get the first-team football his potential has always promised.

In other news, Ange delivers the Giorgos Giakoumakis latest ahead of Livingston vs Celtic.