TEENAGE KICKS

Karamoko Dembele was delighted to play in the Flag Day victory, and he’s working hard to get further first-team opportunities

- TONY CONNELLY

THE COMBINATION of consistency and an unwavering discipline can create a solid foundation for success. Following that formula is easier said than done, but Karamoko Dembele’s path to this point suggests the young forward has the mentality to match his talent.

It’s no coincidence that Scott Brown’s team-mates cite the Celtic captain’s relentless work ethic on the training pitch every day. His achievements and ability have placed him at the top of Scottish football for years, and his career is a testament to the value of hard work in delivering success.

That ethos is instilled into the young players at Celtic, and Karamoko knows and understands that. He made his Celtic debut back in May 2019 in a home game against Hearts, while he also played on the European stage when the Hoops took on CFR Cluj in December last year in the Europa League.

And now, having played for the champions on the opening day of the 2020/21 campaign, the 17-year-old is hoping for further involvement this season.

Meeting the standards of the first-team’s grueling pre-season training sessions has been a challenge for Karamoko, but his work ethic and commitment to his craft have helped him capitalize on the opportunity.

“When I first came in the intensity was hard,” said Karamoko in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View.

“The first couple of weeks were difficult physically but as pre-season went on I got stronger and was able to handle it a bit more. I’ve been on two pre-seasons now. I went away with the team last year for the first time. I felt like this pre-season was a lot harder.