Scotland desperately trying to stop Karamoko Dembele playing for England

Scotland will do everything within their power to sop Celtic's teenage sensation from playing for England and have called the 13-year-old up to their Victory Shield squad, an U-16s competition. Despite being born in London, Dembele qualifies for Scotland under the "school rule" as he has spent five years in full-time education in Scotland. 

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan is desperate for Dembele to play for Scotland, but admits the final decision will be up to the player and his family.

"We’ve called Karamoko into the Victory Shield squad,’ he said. ‘We will try and do everything we possibly can to bring him into the Scottish system.

"If you have talented players and talented players who are eligible for other countries then, clearly, they are always going to be attractive to other associations.

"But we have to do what we can – and that is why he has been called into the Victory Shield squad".

He added: "We want to make him feel wanted and valued and, certainly, Celtic are doing that.

"I visited the performance school at St Ninian’s myself a couple of weeks ago and saw the set-up they have, which is magnificent.

"The attention to detail and attention he is getting as a young player – and being brought into the Scotland set-up at a young age, at 13 years old, is a fantastic opportunity.

"We can only do everything we possibly can in our power. Ultimately the choice will come down to the boy and his parents. But we will do all we actually can to make him a Scotland player".

This video may prove why Scotland are so desperate for him to play for them...