HOLLAND legend Ruud Gullit agrees with Celtic that fast-tracking 13-year-old sensation Karamoko Dembele into senior football will aid his development.
The Glasgow schoolboy, whose parents are from the Ivory Coast, was given a debut in the Hoops’ Under-20 team when he came on for the final nine minutes in the 3-1 win over Hearts at Cappielow on Monday.
Gullit admitted he is one of the tiny tot’s new army of admirers. The Dutchman, who became the youngest player in the history of the Eredivisie when he made his debut for HFC Harlem at the age of 16, subscribes to the adage that when you are good enough, you are old enough.
He said: “Scotland don’t have many great players at the moment, but they so have a new 13-year-old, who looks pretty special.
“I saw him playing on YouTube. What a player! He is exceptionally good and left-footed, as well.
“I was also very young when I made my first team debut. When I was 14, I was playing with the Under-18s, so that was quite a jump, too.
“I was bigger and stronger though, so that was different. This kid is still only small, but this will help him get a physical presence.
“He has to deal with that, so it could be an advantage for him to play with older players. I just love to see players like that, but, while this is great experience, we also have to give him time.”
