Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is planning to take extra caution with youth talent Karamoko Dembele.

The 13-year-old starlet created headlines after he made an appearance in an U20 game for the Hoops against Heart of Midlothian last week.

Following his appearance, Manchester City have been linked with an interest in the player but Rodgers is intent on keeping a lid on things and allowing the kid to develop naturally.

Rodgers said: "I didn't know he was playing.

"Would I have sanctioned it? That's not the point. The point is he's played. In the modern world, everything is a story. You just have to be very careful.

"He is a kid. He's not a 13-year-old in the body of a 19-year-old.

"He doesn't have those maturation levels. He really looks 13.

"As much as what his ability is and how fast he is, the worry for me when I saw it was if a 25-year-old tackles him.

"I'm a father and as good as the coaches here are, I worry from a parent's perspective.

"But he's a talent and it will be managed going forward."

Rodgers added: "I will I take a more hands-on role.

"I took him in for one session early on in my time here. When I arrived, I'd heard about his talent.

"It was a light, technical session and you can see how diminutive he is.

"He's obviously a real talent but he's young and there is so much development and so much needs to happen for him to go on and become a player.

"We have to nurture him and ensure he is challenged, but at the right times."