Thirteen-year-old Dembele plays for Celtic's Under-20s

Karamoko Dembele, 13, jumped several age groups ahead to come on in the closing stages of a 3-0 Development League win over Hearts at Cappielow Park.

Published : Oct 04, 2016 09:47 IST

Celtic Park stadium, home of Celtic.

The old football adage of being old enough if you are good enough was put to the test on Monday, when 13-year-old Karamoko Dembele featured for Celtic's Under-20 team.

Dembele jumped several age groups ahead to come on in the closing stages of a 3-0 Development League win over Hearts at Cappielow Park. Celtic's U20 squad had been depleted by international call-ups, prompting a particularly youthful and diminutive presence among the Hoops side in Greenock.

According to the club's website, Dembele, who replaced the 16-year-old Jack Aitchison in the 81st minute, "didn't look out of place and played his part in the closing stages."