CELTIC have given the green light for Vakoun Issouf Bayo to be called up by the Ivory Coast for the Tokyo Olympics.
The competition runs from July 23 to August 8 and will mean the 24-year-old striker has no chance of participating in the Champions League second and third round qualifiers with the Hoops due to play FC Midjytlland in the first leg in 18 days’ time.
Bayo appears to have no place in Ange Postecoglou’s revamp plans and spent last season on loan at French second tier club Toulouse where he netted 10 goals in 30 appearances.
They have an option to buy the powerhouse frontman, but have returned the player to Parkhead while claiming he is too expensive.
AIR WE GO…Vakoun Issouf Bayo scores with a soaring header for Toulouse.
The Olympic Games are not an official FIFA tournament and there is no obligation to release players, according to a report in the Daily Record.
However, the Hoops will not stand in Bayo’s way of representing his country.
It is yet another indication there is no future in the east end of Glasgow for the forward who has scored only two goals in 17 outings for the side since arriving in a £2million deal in January 2019 as one of Brendan Rodgers’ last buys for the club.
Bayo has made two appearances for his country, but has yet to score.
