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Celtic winger Karamoko Dembele may be handed a cup final place according to Neil Lennon.

Despite cooling water on the possibility days ago, the Hoops gaffer isn’t afraid to use the 16-year-old who debuted on Sunday against Hearts.

He had a bright second half against Saturday’s final opponents and may feature against them again.

At a young age, Dembele could be thrown into one of the club’s biggest games in years.

Neil Lennon has no Karamoko Dembele issue

There will have been some fans apprehensive about the winger playing in the final.

Supporters out there will say he is too young but the old saying if he is good enough he is old enough.

We have high hopes for the England youth international, so he may as well get started early.

Lennon told Celtic TV: “I’ve no issue playing him. He was outstanding and he gave everyone a lift.

“He’s training this week, he’s fit and available and he’s certainly put himself forward for a selection for the squad.”

The wee man will have all cameras set on him, so even for a bit-part performance he will try and dazzle the crowd.

His debut showed he is very direct and doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game despite his size.

Dembele likes to ride a challenge and kept things simple last weekend.

Karamoko Demble not unfamiliar with finals

The quick-footed wide-man is not a stranger to playing in finals with the Hoops this year.

He featured in two youth cups and got differing results in each.

Dembele lost the youth cup final at Hampden against Rangers but avenged the defeat a week later at Celtic Park by beating them in the Glasgow Cup final.

However, this will be a different Hampden than the one Dembele played in.

There’ll be 50,000 fans packed into Glasgow’s south side with everyone cheering their team to win.

This could be Dembele’s next test, and if he passes it, it’s an indication that he’ll go on to great things.