Celtic have knocked back an ambitious bid from Gillingham to take Karamoko Dembele on loan.
The Gills boss made a move to try and land the young protégé for the second half of the season.
Hoops sources feel that Dembele is better served remaining and training with the Hoops rather than being exposed to a spell south of the border.
Gillingham boss Steve Evans knows Dembele well as he worked with his brother Sirki at Peterborough and hoped that might swing the move but the Premiership champions are adamant he is going nowhere.
Celtic want to protect their young 16-year-old who is tipped to go all the way to the very top.
Dembele made his Celtic debut against Hearts last season and also became the youngest player to play for a Scottish club in Europe when he played against Cluj in the Europa League in December.
Dembele has also been the focus of intense interest on the international level having played for Scotland and England.
He is currently playing for England at under-17 level.
