The resulting social media explosion immediately saw the schoolboy winger hailed as the heir to Lionel Messi - and the hyperbole didn’t stop there.
Three years later, after just one first-team appearance for the Bhoys, the influential French football title L’Equipe named Dembele alongside Barcelona’s Ansu Fati as one of the six outstanding young players set to revolutionise the game. “Vivid and agile, the British striker seems destined for a great career,” they wrote.
Inevitably, the hype train derailed. Whether it was his miniature 5ft 6ins frame or managerial churn, Dembele’s opportunities withered, and any prospect of a career in Glasgow was ended by a broken ankle sustained during a pre-season friendly against Bristol City in 2021.
By the time his contract expired 12 months later, Dembele had become a footnote in Celtic’s history. A subsequent move to Ligue 1 with Brest proved even more forgettable.
Yet in the last 12 months, first on loan at Blackpool and now at QPR, Dembele has provided a welcome reminder of the huge potential that - at 21 - remains largely untapped.
Last season yielded eight goals, 13 assists, three player of the year awards and the fulsome praise of Seasiders manager Neil Critchley.
Denne historien er fra October 06, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 06, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
NUNEZ SPARKS ROUT OF IN-FORM TIGERS
NORWICH City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup was delighted with his side’s performance as they made it four wins in six games to maintain their climb up the table after a slow start.
SHAUN RUES SOFT LATICS' BORE DRAW
WIGAN manager Shaun Maloney had mixed emotions after his side drew at Stockport to make it six games unbeaten.
Bielik's words are own goal for Blues
IN MY early days at Brighton, we won back-to-back promotions and were practically unstoppable.
CLAIMS OF RACISM TO ASSISTANT MAR DRAW
PORTSMOUTH boss John Mousinho apologised to assistant referee Bhupinder Singh Gill for alleged discriminatory comments made from the stands during the draw with Oxford United.
WILDER'S PUSH FOR BIRTHDAY BOY RAK-SAKYI IS PAYING OFF
Hatters in slump as loan star hits brace
ARGYLE STUN ROVERS AFTER WAYNE SEES RED
PLYMOUTH assistant head coach Pete Shuttleworth praised Argyle’s never say-die attitude as the greens secured a last-minute win over high-flying Blackburn.
Former teen star is now real deal
FAMOUSLY, Karamoko Dembele was just 13 when he made his debut for Celtic’s under-20 side in 2016.
DERBY DATE SO VITAL FOR OMER
Interim boss has chance to boost bid
LINDSEY LINK-UP LIFTS LAURENCE!
LAURENCE Maguire has been reunited with Scott Lindsey at MK Dons - and believes his old boss is the right man to propel them into the League Two promotion shake-up.
I WANT TO ADD MORE ELLIOT
NEW Crawley Town boss Rob Elliot has promised evolution not revolution after stepping into the huge shoes vacated by Scott Lindsey.