EBOUE KOUASSI must have made some history as Celtic won 5-1 at Ibrox on Saturday.
The Ivorian midfielder came on for skipper Scott Brown – and didn’t get a kick at the ball!
Kouassi, the Hoops’ £2.8million buy in the January transfer window, had hardly stepped onto the pitch when referee John Beaton allowed only 20 SECONDS stoppage time.
It was an odd decision for the whistler to bring the game to such an abrupt end, but possibly he was was being merciful to the home side who had been painfully dismissed in the champions’ rampage in Govan.
Kouassi has now performed in 104 minutes for the club, four of them as appearances as a substitute. His only start came in the 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle last month.
But the 19-year-old midfield enforcer could now get the opportunity to show his new fans why Rodgers was quick to snap him up from Russian outfit Krasnodar.
Inspirational captain Brown will now sit out the forthcoming games against St Johnstone and Aberdeen as he serves a two-game suspension – and that could open the door for Kouassi to demonstrate his qualities.
One ex-player who has no doubt he will do well with Rodgers’ all-conquering outfit is his fellow-countryman Eugene Dadi, the former Aberdeen striker.
Dadi was one of the first Ivorians to play in the Scottish top flight having signed for the Dons in 2001 from Toulouse before joining Livingston a year later.
He said: “People have to be patient with him. He is a very young man and I was in a more fortunate position because I was making the move from France.
“I had plenty of experience before going to Scotland, but Eboue did not have long in Russia. It takes time to get used to the game in Scotland and your new surroundings.
“It is not just the football, it’s a new life and you are getting used to things outside the club. Sometimes you are not prepared for some of the things you can see.
“Patience is important for Kouassi, too. It is good in one way he is so desperate to play, but also a little dangerous in another.
“When a kid really wants to play all the time, that’s a positive sign for any coach to see in training each day. It shows a desire within the player and a hunger to do well.
“Of course, Eboue cannot expect just to arrive at Celtic and play because they have such a strong squad and are going through all their matches without losing.
“But the fact he wants to play and fight to get into the side is a good thing.”
