Celtic’s teenage prospect Karamoko Dembele was subject of what can only be described as a cheeky loan move on Thursday, as the Daily Record reported that League One side Gillingham wanted to sign the player for the rest of the season.
Unsurprisingly, the move was rejected by Celtic, with the report claiming that the Hoops would rather that the player trained with the club rather than move to England.
Celtic are 100% correct in their attitude to Dembele. Why would the club consider letting one of their top prospects leave so he can play out the second-half of the season in League One?
Move wouldn’t make sense at this moment
That wouldn’t make any sense. Perhaps in a few years time a move to a difficult league would benefit Demeble. But it should be remembered that he is only 16. He still has plenty of time to go in his career.
He is far better off spending the next few seasons learning at Celtic rather than going to England for a spell.
If Dembele had moved to Gillingham, you have to image that he would have played most weeks for the League One outfit.
That is not what is happening at Celtic. The club is gradually giving the player first-team experience, most recently in the win over Ross County.
Hoops are handling player’s career excellently
That is the correct way to go when dealing with a player at the start of his career, like Dembele is. It is better to not pile the pressure on Dembele by giving him regular first-team action.
There is no doubt that Dembele is a very talented player. He has to be part of Celtic’s first-team at such a young age.
However, sending the player out on loan would not benefit him at the current stage of his career. He will learn more at Celtic, and the club have been sensible in refusing to contemplete allowing Dembele to leave.
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