Karamoko Dembele: English FA chiefs plot move to steal 13-year-old Celtic wonderkid from Scotland and Ivory Coast

Three Lions hope to entice 13-year-old to switch allegiance after his U20s appearance for the Bhoys

ENGLAND are plotting to nab Celtic wonderkid Karamoko Dembele from under the noses of Scotland.

The 13-year-old captured the world’s attention on Monday when he appeared for Celtic’s Under-20 side.

Dembele came off the bench to play the last nine minutes against Hearts, sparking huge interest in the teen.

The Parkhead outfit are bracing themselves for a battle to keep hold of the prodigy, while the Scottish Football Association are also desperate to keep him from the clutches of their English counterparts.

SFA officials are already planning on calling him up into the Scotland U16 squad for next month’s Victory Shield.

But England are keen on enticing him into their own set-up.

Dembele was born in London to parents from the Ivory Coast, but he and his family moved to Glasgow when he was five.

Scot Gemmill, Scotland U21s boss, believes his governing body will pull out all the stops to secure him following the past losses of James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady.

Gemmill said: “If we’ve got a good player coming through, then everything needs to be done. I’m sure it will be.”

Dembele first shot to prominence by becoming an internet sensation against Barcelona at a tournament in Dublin earlier this summer.

David Feeney, the Scottish coach who discovered the whiz kid, exclusively told SunSport this week how he knew from the first time he saw the ace kick a ball he was destined for the top.