Dembele, 16, shines
They gave u s James Mc Gror y a nd Paul Mcstay. They gave us Johnstone, Tully, Murdoch, Auld and… Karamoko Dembele?
The old songs were sung at Parkhead yesterday as Celtic celebrated an eighth successive title and 50th league flag in total. But fans left the stadium pondering the future as represented by Dembele with just as much relish.
Only 16 and three months old – he was born in the same year as Seville – and roughly the same height as a corner flag, he has already been much vaunted and was called back from an England Under-17 camp to appear here as a half-time substitute for Oli Burke.
Scotland still hold out some hope of convincing him to play for them and it’s clear why. Wearing the No 77 shirt, his cameo was a privilege to witness.
When in the 67th minute Celtic were awarded a free kick only t wo yards outside the box, it looked for all the world as if debutant Dembele would take it. The supporters urged this to happen. The minute seemed a happy portent too – particularly on an afternoon when we also celebrated the life of Stevie Chalmers.
B u t C e l t i c s o u g h t t o c a t c h Hearts unaware and Dembe - le dummied in order for Scott Sinclair to tr y his luck. His m o d e r a t e e f f o r t w a s deflected behind. Celtic Park booed its disapproval.
Dembele did not need to b e sp o on f e d a n o p p o r t u - n i t y t o s c o r e . H e created his own chances. O n e , t h r i l l i n g l y, c a m e w h e n d r i f t i n g i n f r o m the right touchline, beati n g a t l e a s t t wo H e a r t s opponents before he shot narrowly wide. Another time he came closer still with Zdenek Zlamal reacting well to save a powerful angled drive at his near post.
This meeting of next weeke n d ’s S c o t t i s h C u p f i n a l - i s t s c o u l d b e s u m m e d u p by Dembele’s opposite man, Aaron Hickey, being only a few months older than him.
If there’s one conclusion to be taken from the afternoon it’s that few conclusions could be drawn. Neither side could be said to have shown their hand for fear of sustaining injuries. Sadly, there isn’t any way to eradicate the chances of such misfortune befalli n g t h o s e i nvo l ve d i n a p h y s i c a l g a m e , however little is at stake.
H e a r t s s u f - fered a deflating star t in that they l o s t t h e o p e n i n g g o a l t o t h e impressive 20 -year-old Mikey Johnston inside t wo minutes and then Olly Lee l i mp e d o f f after 12. There is no doubting which of these blows left Craig Levein more distressed. Lee, who was replaced by Ryan Edwards, is now a major doubt for Saturday’s cup final.
A No 8 Celtic shirt hung from outside the door at east end host e l r y T h e S a r a c e n H e a d denoting an eighth league title – “t wo to go” was the refrain outside Parkhead. It also referenced Paul Mcstay, who is the face of this championship. The legendar y midfielder presented the trophy to the squad, including Leigh Griffiths, at the end.
T h e g a m e r e a l l y d i d f e e l l i k e a n afterthought. Being the first at home since Lisbon Lion Chalmers’ death, there was a loud minute’s applause as befitting the player who scored Celtic’s, p e r h a p s S c o t t i s h significant goal.
There was also a presentation for Hearts defender Aaron Hughes, who has announced his decision to quit the game at the age of 39 after a glorious career. Neil Lennon, his former Northern Ireland international team-mate, and Craig Levein presented him with a commemorative quaich to mark
f o o t b a l l’s , m o s t more than 650 appearances for several clubs, including Hearts, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. He came on for John Souttar in the second half and was given the armband.
Relations between Celtic and Hearts have not always been cordial in the stands, but both clubs displayed great spor tsmanship towards each other yesterday to the extent Hearts decided