Ismaila Soro could be heading for the exit door at Celtic according to a report on Football Scotland this afternoon.
Journalist Mark Hendry reports that the 24 year-old Ivorian midfielder, who has failed to make much impression in Ange Postecoglou’s title winning team, is attracting interest from Partizan Belgrage who were runners-up in the Serbian league last season, behind Champions Red Star Belgrade.
Soro was signed by Neil Lennon from Israeli club Bnei Yehuda in 2020 and for a short period in the lockdown season became something of a fans favourite with many supporters arguing that he could be the club’s successor to legendary skipper Scott Brown.
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian – Premier Sports Cup – Celtic Park Celtic s Odsonne Edouard left high fives team-mate Ismaila Soro as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the Premier Sports Cup match at Celtic Park, Sunday August 15, 2021. Photo Steve Welsh
That though failed to come to pass and the arrival of Ange Postecoglou ultimately meant a return to the sidelines for Soro. The player was linked with a move to Cyprus to join up with his old Celtic boss at Omonoia but that story was later dismissed by the Cypriot cup winners.
Football Scotland report that a season long loan move to Partizan could be on the cards. This would mirror the position with Vasilis Barkas, another Neil Lennon signing who is out in the cold as far as the Celtic first team is concerned. The Greek keeper has signed of Dutch club Utrecht for the season, thus removing much of his salary from the Celtic wage-bill.
Ismaila Soro between FC Midtjyllands Erik Sviatchenko and Evander Ferreira in the Champions League qualifier between FC Midtjylland and Celtic FC at MCH Arena in Herning, Wednesday 28 July 2021,: Photo Box Amstrup
Soro will not be on the wages that Barkas enjoyed after his £4.5m move from AEK Athens, but this is a positive sign that Ange Postecoglou is clearing the decks of fringe players who are not in his plans for the season ahead.
Hopefully Soro can get his move and get back to playing football, with his best years in the game still ahead of him.
With both Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton also leaving the club this summer there’s clearly room for additions and that is something that Ange will be looking to deliver sooner rather than later. Watch this space!
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