By Joe Ellis

29th Apr, 2022 | 12:04pm

View: Celtic must give Karamoko Dembele a chance to avoid untapped potential

Ange Postecoglu has managed to get the right tune out of almost every player at Celtic this season but there is one youngster yet to make his mark.

Karamoko Dembele has long been considered one of the brightest talents in world football when he emerged for the Hoops’ Under-18s as a 13-year-old many moons ago.

Since then though he has faded into the background at Parkhead and his lack of playing time is threatening to stunt his potential severely.

This season, for example, the 19-year-old has played just one game for Celtic, according to Transfer Markt, and all he managed in that game was a yellow card which isn’t the impact you want from an attacking player.

He hasn’t been helped by the impressive form of fellow wingers Liel Abada and Jota as well as Kyogo Furuhashi’s expertise in leading the line leaving very few chances for him to come in.

Dembele simply must be played more often towards the end of this season even if it is only from the bench because the more he doesn’t play, the lower his ceiling will get.

Celtic could have a world-class sensation on their hands but he will never reach that potential if he’s stuck playing for the B team and warming the Parkhead bench.

Having said that, this weekend’s Old Firm derby against Rangers might not be the game to throw a 19-year-old in for his second appearance of the season.

Postecoglu will need to make his decision on Dembele in the summer to either play him or sell him because he won’t be content with yet another season of no match action in Glasgow.

In other Celtic news, Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign one of the Hoops’ most talented young strikers from next season, according to The Athletic.