BOSS PRAISES MATCHWINNER BAYO

NEIL LENNON singled out £2million January signing Vakoun Issouf Bayo for special praise after the Ivorian scored the winner in the 2-1 victory over Austrian third tier outfit Wiener SC last night.

The Celtic boss was satisfied overall with his side’s performance during their second work-out following the 6-1 rout of the amateurs Pinkafeld last week.

Leigh Griffiths made a scoring comeback in that encounter and he was on target again this time out with the equaliser before Bayo’s stunning clincher.

A goalless first-half saw James Forrest, the captain for the night, twice hit the woodwork and miss a header at the back post, while winger Maryan Shved also looked lively during his first appearance for the team.

Lennon changed his entire outfield team at half-time and within minutes they had fallen behind to a free-kick from Jakov Josic which swept past Scott Bain who was replaced by Connor Hazard on the hour mark. Griffiths almost immediately restored parity, charging down the keeper before slotting home.

Bayo, who had only five minutes of first team football as a substitute against Kilmarnock in February, put in an energetic performance before thumping in a half-volley from a Jonny Hayes cross late in proceedings.

Lennon, speaking to the Mail on Sunday, said: “I’m really pleased with him (Bayo) and would have been even if he hadn’t scored.

“He has had a good week. He is a nice addition to the squad and gives us something a bit different.

“I thought technically, and in his play in general, he was very good.

“We could have won the game seven or eight nil, so I was delighted.”

Celtic’s starting line-up was: Bain; Ralston, Simunovic, Hendry, Gutman; Shved, McGregor, Bitton, Johnston: Forrest, Edouard. Subs: Hazard, Doohan, Coffey, Ajer, Welsh, Hayes, Brown, Henderson, Sinclair, Morgan, Bayo, Griffiths, Morrison, Dembele, Oko-Flex