Islam Feruz wants 13-year-old Celtic prodigy Karamoko Dembele to learn from his mistakes 

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Islam Feruz would never dream of offering himself up to Karamoko Dembele as a role model. But he’s been in the same position in which the 13-year-old Celtic sensation now finds himself, and has some advice on how to avoid potential pitfalls on the road to a successful career in football.

After his family swapped their war-torn homeland of Somalia for a new life in Glasgow, the young Feruz’s talents were quickly spotted by the Parkhead side and he was also 13 when he first burst onto the scene in 2009 in a memorial game for the late, great Tommy Burns.

But after being carefully nurtured by Celtic, he turned his back on them after six years and moved to Chelsea on a lucrative contract. The accusations were that his head had been turned, which Feruz now admits himself.

Islam Feruz (left) does not want Karamoko Dembele to make the same mistakes he did

Dembele, 13, was catapulted into the spotlight when he played for Celtic's U20s last week

He’s still with the Stamford Bridge club but, after being hailed as the next big thing, his career has never hit the heights that his youthful prowess promised, with the player drifting from club to club on ill-fated loan moves and often making headlines for the wrong reasons.

Now 21, and currently with Belgian side Excel Mouscron, Feruz is aware of the hype surrounding young Dembele after he appeared for Celtic’s Under-20s against Hearts at Cappielow last week.

He wants to see the kid learn from his mistakes by progressing and flourishing at Celtic Park. Major European clubs are already being tipped to try and prize Dembele away, but Feruz has urged the teenager to ignore any advances and learn his trade at Parkhead.

In a rare interview, Feruz told Sportsmail: ‘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.

Feruz is currently plying his trade at Belgian outfit Royal Excel Mouscron

‘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.’

Feruz has a fascinating back story but has been at the centre of a lot of controversy

Feruz and his family have a fascinating back story. But, while trying to make his name as a first-team footballer, controversy has followed him and he’s been at the centre of many misdemeanours.

Most coaches and managers he’s worked with have all pretty much labelled him as a ‘Billy Big Time’ with a poor attitude that overshadows his ability.

The good news is that he appears to be maturing, is learning from his mistakes and is not afraid to hold his hands up.

He won’t try to defend himself against every accusation – many of them are simply indefensible – but there are two sides to every story and he’s chosen to rarely, if ever, stick up for himself.

Feruz stressed: ‘I’m not going into every detail but if I could turn the clock back then I would definitely have stayed at Celtic for longer. That would have given me more experience and a better chance of playing first-team football.

‘Listen, I had my head turned at 15 years of age. I didn’t realise there was money involved in football. I just played football for the love of the game.

Feruz admits that he had his head turned and believes there is 'no doubting' his ability

‘There is no doubting my ability as a footballer. I’m only 21. What I have to do is show everyone that I have matured. There are many things in my life I’d do differently. Yes, I’ve done things I’m not proud of.

‘The only thing that keeps you happy is playing football. I am wiser and doing things differently.

‘Thankfully, I have a few very good people around me, two of whom are Amadou Anglade and Brian Wilson. They are wise men and they have different life experiences. I am learning from them and moving in the right direction.’