Islam Feruz has implored Karamoko Dembele to not make the same mistakes as he did.
13-year-old Dembele grabbed the headlines recently when making his debut for the Celtic U20s, but Feruz is hoping the talented kid can avoid looking too far ahead, just as he did when leaving the Glasgow giants for Chelsea.
Feruz, now 21, has struggled to make an impact in West London and has been sent for loan spells at such clubs as OFI Crete, Blackpool, Hibernian and Royal Excel Mouscron, where he is currently housed.
The Scotland U21 international feels that Dembele, who is already being linked with Manchester City among other clubs, should remain at Celtic and focus on playing football rather than be swayed by the riches of the Premier League.
“I've heard about young Dembele. I've been told he has a genuine chance to go all the way. It takes me back to the situation I was in seven or eight years ago," he said in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“The main thing is to stay focused and concentrate on football. If he keeps doing what he has been doing then he will continue to improve. He has been recognised by the Celtic under-20 team. That will have boosted him.
“If he keeps progressing at this speed then who knows what he will be ready to achieve at 16? I hope he stays with Celtic, plays for their first team and score lots of goals. Never forget that playing football makes you happy.
“If he does that, the next step of his career will be a natural progression. He will not need to chase anything or rush into anything. He just has to keep his head down, stay focused and not allow himself to be distracted. That's the best advice I can give him.
“I remember it all just seemed to happen at once and hit me overnight. There was so much publicity. It was very hard to handle. My family and friends were also thrust into the spotlight.
“It's hard to cope when you are so young. It's easy to put your faith in other people and it becomes easy to lose focus on football. People will now want to get involved with him and, no doubt, promise plenty. People will try to sweet talk him.
“But you must trust in your family, that is so important. And stick to football. It's easy to become distracted and lose sight of the necessary development required on and off the field.
“The people of Scotland, in every walk of life, must try to protect him. I wish him luck."