NEIL LENNON has moved to solve the Karmoko Dembele mystery.
The Celtic fans are puzzled at the non-appearance of the highly-rated winger who was expected to explode upon the first team this season.
Dembele is a free agent in June and has already been linked with clubs abroad, but he has failed to make a solitary appearance in the top side in a stormy campaign. The gifted youngster, who was born in London, but raised in Glasgow, hit the headlines as a 13 year old when he came on as a surprise substitute in the club’s Under-20 side.
He was also on the substitutes’ bench when the Parkhead side sealed the unprecedented treble treble in the 2-1 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Hearts on May 25 last year.
Since then, he has made only two substitute outings and Lennon, speaking to the Glasgow Times, addressed the situation and said: “Karamoko is 17 and he had a lot of attention when he was younger, but he is just making steady progress with the development side.
“It is difficult for the kids because there is no real games programme for them this year and we have had to try and find games for them sporadically.
“We just have to be careful with him and not throw him in too early.
“We have to be patient, we know he is a quality player, but, physically, he still has a bit of development to do to be part of the first-team squad.”
Dembele is not among the players announced by Lennon for today’s home game against Kilmarnock where three points are a must.
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