Former Celtic star Jackie McNamara has issued a warning to supporters over rising star Karamoko Dembele .
The 16-year-old academy star is being tipped to go all the way but the former Dundee United boss has urged a note of caution.
McNamara reckons the playmaker is now starting to struggle as his team-mates and rivals continue to mature physcially.
First team boss Neil Lennon hinted a senior appearance could happen this season and the England youth international turned heads in last week's Glasgow Cup Final win over Rangers.
Dembele burst onto the scene as a 13-year-old when he played for the U20s back in 2016 and the Hoops faithful have been keeping a close eye on his development since.
The former Celtic captain claims Manchester City were blown away by Dembele when he broke through but their interest has cooled in recent times due to his lack of size.
Celtic prodigy Karamoko Dembele delivers Scotland blow as he makes England declaration
McNamara told Football Insider: "Dembele looks a talent, left foot and everything else.
“All the clubs are looking at him, like Man City. I know other clubs mostly, Man City are like, ‘phwoar’ at 12, 13, 14 but now they’re like ‘nah, don’t think he’s going to do it’.
“He’s little, but he’s been that for a few years now, he’s been that same size when they were all younger so he was like a wee man but nowadays they’re bigger than him and he’s not moved.
“Don’t get me wrong, the player’s there but because he was a wee man at that age (13), he’s the exact same as he was roughly then – strong, powerful left foot, low centre of gravity, but there comes a time.
“Don’t get me wrong, the player’s there but because he was a wee man at that age (13), he’s the exact same as he was roughly then.
"He's strong, powerful left foot, low centre of gravity, but there comes a time – my son’s 15 next month, at that age I was smaller, I’m not a big guy but I was tiny, small, skinny and I got released."
