NEIL LENNON has an array of riches in the developmental squad. The talk over the past few years has been of Karamoko Dembele. We all know what he can do and the prospect and asset he is for the club.
However, we know very little about another lad currently making light work of the developmental scene. Armstrong Oko-Flex came in from Arsenal last summer and has lit up the Celtic youth academy with his skill but more importantly, his eye for goal.
The 17-year-old has been quietly going about his business for the club behind the scenes away from the spotlight but another goal against Hibs on Tuesday shows the youngster is refusing to become an afterthought.
Oko-Flex is still very raw but he has the makings of a very good player. Having personally watched the bhoy on a few occasions last season he managed to shine in a Reserve league full of hatchet men and guys out to dampen the spirits of any player who has a bit of creative flair.
When we talk about prospects from the youth side – Armstrong is right up there.
If you weren’t paying attention, the youngster actually made the bench for one of Brendan Rodgers final games in charge. The Irishman rewarding the youngster for his form by bringing him into the matchday squad against Kilmarnock. The youngster didn’t make his debut after a nervy game ended with Scott Brown scoring a last gasp goal to secure all three points.
Again he was on the bench for the final game of the season against Hearts but didn’t make it onto the field. He’s on the cusp of a first-team debut and maybe even deserved the nod ahead of Karamoko Dembele when his first-team appearance came.
The only thing that might be going against him is his frame. The lad still has a lot of growing to do and might find it more difficult against some of the more physical players in the league. However, if the developmental games have taught me anything, he can have some of these types of players chasing shadows.
