CHEW IT OVER
Toure: Bren will get best out of Celts way he did with Suarez
NEW Hoops signing Kolo Toure has told the Celtic players to look to Luis Suarez if they want an example of how Brendan Rodgers gets the best out of players.
The Barcelona forward, notorious for past biting offences, played with Toure at Liverpool and blossomed under Rodgers.
And Toure revealed the pull of working with the Irishman againmst at Celtic was too strong for him to resist.
“As a manager, you need to be able to get the top players into a situation where they can fully express themselves,” said Toure.
“Everyone is different and you have to manage them differently. Brendan knew how to manager Luis very, very well. That’s why he is now such a top player.”
Toure signed a one-year contract
with the club at the weekend and although tomorrow night’s crucial Uefa Champions League qualifier against Astana in Kazakhstan will come too soon for him, he is expected to play a significant role this season.
His debut for the club, though, could well come on Saturday in Dublin when Celtic play Barcelona in the ICC, with Toure and Suarez going head-to-head.
“What a debut – playing against Luis!” laughed Toure. It’s going to be great for my fitness, because we will have to work hard against a top team.
“I like to play in games like that, I’m looking forward to it. It will be nice to see Luis again, but I hope he doesn’t play! No, of course, I’ll be really happy to see him and to play against him.
“He is a top, top striker. He is very aggressive in front of goal. That will prepare me really well for the season.”
Toure was left behind as Celtic yesterday jetted out to Kazakhstan for the vital Champions League second qualifier, first leg showdown with Astana.
But the Ivorian admits he needs time to get his fitness up to speed.
“I’m fit,” he said. “But of course I have just joined the team and I need time to be ready.
“I can’t tell you when but I am ready right now in my mind and I will give everything I have got every day to be able to help my team-mates.
“The manager is the best guy to make the decision. I will be with them in my heart, I will pray for them as well. Definitely we’ll do it.”
Toure’s appetite remains keen, despite the success he has enjoyed in the Premiership.
“My ambition for this season is just to win every game,” he said. “I want to win the league, the cups, get into the Champions League and go as far as we can in it. Every game is important.”