NEW Bhoy Ismaila Soro has revealed his initial surprise after completing his £2million switch to Celtic from Israeli outfit Bnei Yehuda.
The 21-year-old combative midfielder admitted the champions are an even BIGGER club than he anticipated.
Soro knocked back enquiries from Belgium’s Genk and French outfit Dijon to join the Parkhead side – and he has warned Premiership rivals he thrives on the competition when the going gets tough.
The anchorman, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “When I play, my one main aim is to be aggressive in order to get the ball back.
“You could say N’Golo Kante is an example to me. I watch nearly all his games. He is a top player in my position and this is something I really want to achieve, if I can, his ability to bring something else to the team and be aggressive.
“I see Scottish football as hard and tough – and I like that. The tougher it gets, the better I get, the more I put in. It is perfect for me.”
Scotland is Soro’s fourth destination since leaving his homeland the Ivory Coast in 2016 and has already played in Moldova and Belarus as well as Israel.
He continued: “Ever since I was a boy, this was part of the journey ahead of me.
“I seek a way to progress and improve and each time you move to a different club or country, you give your best, and, hopefully, that sets you on for the next stage.
“Coming here is a big step up and I am really looking forward to the challenge – it’s a big challenge.”
Soro added: “Initially, there were two clubs in the running, but from the moment Celtic came in, there was only one club that I was going to join.
“The club is even bigger than I was expecting.”
Soro will get his first taste of Scottish football when Neil Lennon’s men take on St Johnstone in Perth tonight as they continue their pursuit of crucial Premiership points as they aim for the magical nine in a row.
The Ivorian is unlikely to make an appearance, though, while £3.5million Polish striker Patryk Klimala is hoping to get some game-time to add to his cameo role in the 2-1 Scottish Cup victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill 11 days ago.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from St Johnstone v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
