Govan had lot of issues. It’s easy to go down bad path but football kept Karamoko and me on track
SAYS SIRIKI DEMBELE
His kid brother is known to clubs all over Europe.
Whether it’s the spell- binding YouTube clips or the fact he played for Celt ic’s Under- 20s at just 13, EVERYONE has heard of Karamoko Dembele, right? The tiny Parkhead protege who was born in London but brought up in Glasgow is being tipped for the top. As for his big bro Siriki, he could probably walk down the Govan street he grew up in and no one would bat an eyelid. The 22-year- old winger is almost unknown in his home city – yet he is ripping up League One in England with Peterborough United. The Scottish accents in that d r e s s i ng - room a r en’ t consigned to gaffer Steve Evans – or Posh stars Jason Cummings, Mark O’Hara, Jason Na i smi t h a n d Darren Lyon. Dembe le is flying and Evans i s conv inced he’ll play in the Premier League one day. Karamoko has attracted plenty of attention for wha t he ha s achieved already at Celtic – but Siriki’s story is just as inspiring.
When his Ivorian parents Losseni and Abiba arrived in Govan via London 14 years ago they had very little. It was the start of a new life for the family, with Karamoko less than 12 months old.
In a new place, with no friends, it was a difficult time but for Siriki and his brothers, football became a release.
When times were tough, the sport – and the family unit – kept him focused on what he wanted to achieve.
And even though he misses his parents and siblings more than ever he’s still got the same drive and determination.
Siriki told MailSport: “When we moved to Govan I was always playing football in the street.
“Growing up there was difficult at the start. We weren’t used to the place and didn’t know the area and people.
“But we’ve lived our whole lives there – it’s where we’re from. And my memories are of kicking a ball.
“In a place like Govan there can be a lot of issues. It’s easy to go down a wrong path. But it has changed. In the past there was a lot of nonsense but it’s different now – people just want to get on in life.
“It was difficult for us but, in a way, football kept us going. It was just what we loved doing.
“We knew we were good at it, so we focused on getting better.
“It took your mind off the bad stuff. Now my parents are proud of all of us.”
No wonder. While Siriki is lighting up League One and Karamoko is strutting his stuf f at Celtic, their younger brother Hassan is playing for the Hoops Under-9s.
Their sister Macoula, who also played football as a kid, has studied to be a lawyer and is now signed to a top modelling agency.
It hasn’t been easy for any of them – but maybe even more so for Siriki.
He was unable to continue in Dundee United’s youth set-up when training moved to St Andrews and he was left in limbo.
But he never gave up and his big break came when he joined the elite Nike Academy.
Siriki said: “From a young age I’ve always dreamt of being a professional footballer. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do and I always believed it would happen.
“But my parents were hard on me when I left Dundee United – they just wanted me to succeed.
“I had to f ind something else – they wouldn’t let me sit about. Thankfully, I kept faith and it has happened.
“My best friend Ash from Govan told me to apply for the Nike Academy two years ago and I decided to give it a go. I did two t r ia l s , compet i ng against players from different countries.
“They have trials in Germany, Spai n , Brazil, everywhere, but they only pick two players from each individual country.
“The final trial was at Clairefontaine in France, the national academy. Only seven or eight were picked but I got in.
“I had Championship clubs interested but injuries prevented me from signing and eventually I went to Grimsby.”
After a season with the Mariners, Scots boss Evans picked him for Peterborough and he has been
Football took your mind off the bad stuff
terrific for them. But, despite having the l i k e s of Naismith f o r company, he still pines for home. He said: “When you’re so close to your family, it’s not easy being away. “Even after being in England for a few years, I still find it difficult. “Last year at Grimsby I really felt it. That was the toughest year I’ve had because I was on my own. “Grimsby is quite far away – you can’t just jump in the car and have a quick visit.
“After training, there was nothing to do. You’re on your own with no one to talk to. It was tough.”
Regular progress repor ts on Karamoko ensure there’s always a smile on his face. At 15, the youngster is widely regarded as the country’s most prodigious talent. Just like Siriki, he’s eligible to play for Scotland, England or the Ivory Coast but no decision has been taken on his international future. At club level, it surely won’t be long before Dembele is included in one of Brendan Rodgers’ first-team squads.
But Siriki insists it won’t faze his brother one bit.
He said: “I love seeing Karamoko get so much attention. I was in Russia when he phoned to say he was playing for Celtic’s Under-20 team at just 13.
“I was stunned, I couldn’t believe it. But Karamoko didn’t think anything of it.
“It was big news for everyone on the outside but it says a lot about him that he thought it normal.
“That was a wow moment for me. It’s mad.
“It totally went off on social media. I was getting goosebumps reading about it.
“I was so happy. He’s my kid brother. Even when Karamoko was five, I knew he was special with a ball at his feet.
“A year later, he joined a local side in Govan, Park Vi l la. Celtic were watching him and eventually he signed a contract.
“He has dealt with all of the attention so well. He’s still only 15 but is mature and hasn’t changed one bit.
“He’s still the same boy our family knows and loves. We’ve let him know what’s good and bad, right and wrong.
“He’ll never get ideas above his station. And if he did then we would soon let him know.”