Neil Lennon highlights Karamoko Dembele’s importance to Celtic

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon has moved to highlight the importance of Karamoko Dembele to the club.

Dembele made a surprising first-team debut against Hearts on trophy day last season. His individual performance brought life into a dull fixture, and he came close on a couple of occasions to scoring his first Celtic goal.

The next week, he didn’t end up making an appearance in the Scottish Cup final. But, after his 45-minute cameo against Hearts at Parkhead, fans will be chomping at the bit to see more of him next season.

And Lennon has hinted that a big breakthrough from Dembele could very well be on the cards next year. Speaking in the Scottish Sun, Lennon was full of enthusiasm for the young upstart.

“I am excited about them (the young players). Young Dembele lit the place up the other week. He is very important to Celtic, as are the likes of Henderson.

“It’s important for me as a manager to bring boys through from the academy. It’s vital we develop our own players. We have fantastic examples and role models like Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor.

“We need new ones coming through and I believe some of them will be good enough to do that. It’s not easy. They know the  demands we will ask of them.”

A big season ahead for Karamoko

Firstly, it’s important to temper the expectations many will likely have for young Dembele. At the end of the day, the youth academy graduate is still only 16 years of age. His potential is frightening, but it must be managed appropriately.

But it sounds as though Lennon has no problem with throwing him back into first-team action next season.

Dembele has only been playing for the reserves since February. It didn’t take him long to be drafted into first-team matters, and the fact there was even a suggestion of him playing in the Scottish Cup final is massive for him.

He may not be 17 until next February, but Dembele proved he had something. Even against physical defenders like Hearts have, he dealt with it brilliantly. Dembele wasn’t overawed, and certainly wasn’t outclassed or outmuscled either.

When the season starts up again, everyone will be waiting to see when Dembele’s next opportunity will be. Perhaps he’ll be used only on rare occasions, but it feels as though he could make a real impact next year.

Lennon clearly seems to think so, and his performance against Hearts proved he can cut it. Watch this space, next season could be colossal for the young wonder-kid.