And then there were four. Ivory Coast’s Vakoun Issouf Bayo (22 tomorrow) arrived yesterday on a four year contract from Slovak club Dunajska Streda, bolstering Celtic’s striker count to four, after the arrival earlier this week of Timothy Weah. With the continued absence of Leigh Griffiths and injury to Odsonne Edouard, the club were forced to play teenage winger Mikey Johnston as striker last month.
I normally avoid YouTube videos of a prospect as they are notoriously edited, but we are able to view all of Vakoun’s goals online. What’s clear is that a higher percentage of his goals are headed than any player I’ve known. He made his Ivory Coast debut as a late substitute in a African Cup of Nations qualifier in October.
Celtic’s policy here was to be fleet of foot. They spent a reported £2m on a player who left African football 10 months ago and has played only 32 games in Europe. Had they continued to scout the player – and his form continued on its current trajectory, competition for his signature would have grown exponentially.
What has been more important on this occasion was the player’s African connections. Ivorian superstar Kolo Toure continued his stay in Glasgow as a Celtic coach after his playing career ended. He also coaches the Ivory Coast national and under-23 teams, so has witnessed Bayo’s progress through the ranks.
Every deal is a risk, but with Kolo’s assistance Vakoun has an excellent chance to settle into life in Glasgow.
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Happy birthday CorkCelt
Mine one is tomorrow
Capricorn Bhoys.csc
Mine= my
A very Happy Hoopy Birthday to Corkcelt!
Yer some man tae be wan man as they say:))
Awe the best tae The Green Valley Tims!
corkcelt
a very hoopy birthday.
Just logging on for first time today & scrolling back was chuffed to see some lovely Happy Birthday wishes, Thanks Very Much to All.
However I share a Birthday with the legend that is ACGR , I’m 71 today but think ACGR is a year or two younger.
So may I be the first to wish ACGR a Happy Birthday and hope to see him posting here again soon.
Birthday wishes to Corkcelt and ACGR, and to the latter, haste ye back.
Congrats Corkcelt and imminent congrats to ACGR.
Hope for more pressies before the week is out.
Happy Birthday to ACGR too !!
On that very man, am I right that there was an explanation of ACGR’s Blog Name at one point in time – I was always curious about that.
Mines is obvious, of course – the Greek God that is Big Gorgeous George Samaras :-))
Big man is still only 33 – bring him back from retirement Brendan !!!!
HH
BGFC
Happy Birthday ACGR, just sent him birthday wishes via WhatsApp but just in a more colourful way.
Hoopy Birthday to the mad Carnoustie Gowfer ACGR.
BGFC: A Ceiler Gonof Rust…anagram of A Carnoustie Golfer
HH
Just had a message back, apparently ACGR is going for 55 today ?
The ole Uisge Beatha will be getting battered today
Hoopy birthday Corkcelt.
A true gentleman.
HH jg
let me hear you say bayo bayo
Hoopy birthday ACGR
A true fenian mentalist!
HH jg
Happy birthday to young Corky and ole ACGR.HH
Many happy returns of the day to the birthday Bhoys.
Right Catman and Lennybhoy you need to start earning your corn! ? What’s the Goss? We’ve not signed anybody for 24 hours now.
I knew that Pog thought the craic about his age might tempt him out of hibernation.
Looks like Burton Albion need to score an away goal in the last few minutes if they want to get to Wembley
Corkcelt,
He has been in fine fettle on WhatsApp but nothing you could post on here ???
The only thing I’d like Catman or Lennbhoy to confirm is that McKenna ISNT coming ever
HEBCELT
Glad you’re enjoying your holiday with your good lady, looking forward to seeing back in Paradise
A wee thank you to Faith, my practice manageress, for my wee present of 7.5% Nigerian black gold. I didn’t even have to send her my bank account details (she has a great sense of humour).
Keep the Faith
Many happy returns to Corkcelt & ACGR .
Two fine Tims . HH
FRIESDORFER on 9TH JANUARY 2019 9:09 PM
Hoopy Birthday to the mad Carnoustie Gowfer ACGR.
BGFC: A Ceiler Gonof Rust…anagram of A Carnoustie Golfer
==================
Ahhhh – danke shon :-)))
HH
BGFC
Hopefully not McKenna or any of the Burton Albion defenders
Happy birthday ACGR
HH
Friend of a pal of mine knows a taxi driver who’s mate in the depot says that his fare from Glasgow Airport to Kerrydale Street this morning was Dani Alves
#rightback
#problemsolved
I share your hope Catman ?
Man City 9 Burton Albion 0
The M6 closed to traffic for half the day, stranding 3000 Burton fans in the mother of all M-way traffic jams.
Some of them made it for half time (when they were 5-0 down I think).
One bus has just turned round to head back to Burton. A woman supporter on the bus just tweeted “Remember – It’s only half-time.”
Hats bloody off!
Happy Birthday Corkcelt and ACGOR.
DEXTER P. BAMPOT on 9TH JANUARY 2019 9:56 PM
I think you might have misheard him.
It was probably Danny fae Alves, which is in between Forres and Elgin.
Him and his brother Bruno own a chippy. ?
Happy birthday bhoys
Hoopy birthday ACGR
DEXTER P. BAMPOT on 9TH JANUARY 2019 9:56 PM
Friend of a pal of mine knows a taxi driver who’s mate in the depot says that his fare from Glasgow Airport to Kerrydale Street this morning was Dani Alves
#rightback
#problemsolved
———
Never really thought he was much of a defender till I saw him and PSG school us at CP the other season.
What the Fek do I know about fitba after all!
??
Many Hoopy returns Corkcelt and indeed to the madman ACGR
HH
CRC
Dani Bhoy Alves is too old…?
Will Will Trap Trap?