Celtic weighing up January swoop for midfielder Soro
Lennon eyeing January swoop for £3m Ivorian
Efe Ambrose, Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed — and sources confirmed that, although Soro (right) is of interest, he remains one of a number they are looking at. Meanwhile, boss Neil Lennon is sweating over the fitness of a trio of players, including star striker Odsonne Edouard, ahead of Sunday’s Betfred Cup final with Rangers. He watched Ryan Christie put County to the sword with a double either side of Ross Stewart’s equaliser, with Tom Rogic and Mikey Johnston putting the game beyond the home side. Lennon was again forced to make do without Edouard, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Boli Bolingoli and there remains some doubt if the three will be available for the first showpiece occasion of the season. Asked if Edouard was improving after suffering a minor flesh wound prior to the win over Rennes, Lennon said: ‘We’re taking it day by day. I can’t pinpoint when he’ll be back. So we have to soldier on without him and we’ll see how he is as the week goes on. He’s been out running today and I think he’s come through that okay.’ On-loan Southampton winger Elyounoussi hasn’t featured since the win over Motherwell on November 10. Optimistic he will return to the fold after the home game with Hamilton on Wednesday, Lennon added: ‘Moy should be training Wednesday or Thursday so he should have a good chance of making it.’ Greg Taylor has deputised for Bolingoli after he pulled up in the Betfred Cup semi-final win over Hibs. On his chances of being involved in the final, Lennon said: ‘Boli we’re not sure on yet. He might be a doubt. Jonny Hayes should be fine.’ Christie is now Celtic’s top scorer with 15 for the season, with Lennon effusive in his praise for the way his hot streak continued in the Highlands. On seeing his side take their winning run into double figures, he said: ‘Outstanding. I can’t fault it. It’s been so consistent and powerful and we look a real goal threat from a variety of positions. Our play, in general, is very exciting to watch and the fitness is good. I’m delighted.’ Asked if the range of scorers in his squad negated the need for a new specialist striker,
Lennon replied: ‘Well, you do (need one), trust me. But he (Christie) is in double figures, Odsonne double figures, Jamesie (Forrest) double figures. ‘We’ve got goals from Michael, Tom; Broony (Scott Brown) and Cal (Callum McGregor) have weighed in with some.’ County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell was angry after his team had a late consolation ruled out. Stewart was denied his second goal of the day after Brian Graham was deemed offside but County were adamant the striker was not interfering with play. Kettlewell said: ‘It might come down to goal difference and fine margins like that for ourselves, you just never know. ‘It’s a farce. I have never seen an occasion where an offside is given without the linesman raising his flag. You’ve seen the replay. It’s quite clearly onside.’
CELTIC are hot on the trail of Ivorian midfielder Ismaila Soro with a view to a January swoop.
It’s understood the Parkhead club, who eased to a tenth consecutive victory in all competitions with a 4-1 success at Ross County yesterday, had the 21-year-old watched over the weekend as he played for Israeli side Bnei Yehuda in a 2-1 win over Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Valued at £3million, Soro is a defensive midfielder, who could be a long-term replacement for Scott Brown.
Celtic have enjoyed success in signing players from Israel in recent years — including