Celtic’s January transfer window was rather bizarre. They spent £3.5m on Patryk Klimala who is yet to start a league game, while Ismaila Soro, who cost the Bhoys £2m hasn’t played a single minute whatsoever.
However, the time has come for Neil Lennon to finally hand one of them a proper chance.
On the chalkboard
Celtic have had a rather busy period and that gets no easier this week as they take on Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night.
Since the Europa League came back the Hoops have had to play three games in a week for the past fortnight.
It’s unsurprising that a few players are beginning to look a bit jaded but one of the main causes for concern is in midfield.
The 34-year-old Scott Brown is no spring chicken anymore and having to play at a high intensity over such a large spread of games is likely to take its toll. After all, he struggled last Sunday against St Johnstone as Celtic scraped through 1-0 in the Scottish Cup.
Speaking about Brown after the game, journalist Alison McConnell noted in the Herald: “Looked heavy-legged at times and involved in one or two skirmishes in the middle of the park.”
The solution
The fact that Brown looked heavy-legged should be somewhat of a concern for Lennon. With Celtic 12 points clear the manager has no reason to risk anyone and this should be an ideal opportunity to blood some of his new signings.
One of which is Ivorian midfielder Soro. He hasn’t been seen in a Celtic shirt since his arrival in January but he’s certainly in the mould of a player who could come in and deputise for the robust Brown.
After walking through the doors of Celtic Park, Soro said: “If you’re looking for someone I model myself on, or who I really like as a player, then it’s N’Golo Kante. I watch nearly all of his games and he’s a top player in that position. His level is really something I want to achieve, if I can.”
The 21-year-old stood out to Lennon in the Israeli top-flight but he clearly hasn’t done enough to earn any game time. Perhaps he hasn’t impressed as much on the training ground.
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That being said, Soro is a promising player, missing just 187 minutes of league action for his former employers Bnei Yehuda this campaign.
A defensive midfielder by trade, Soro is the type of player who could offer an extra screen of protection on Wednesday – something that may prove important against a team possessing Steven Lawless and Lyndon Dykes. The duo have both netted double figures in 2019/20.
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