'I scored two... they weren’t own goals’

£2million signing from Slovakian side Dunajska Streda in January, vehemently disputed those claims by insisting he’d have left with the match ball had he not struck the post before departing. ‘I scored twice,’ said the 22-year-old. ‘I touched the ball for the first goal and the defender also touched the ball but I got the last touch on it. ‘I got the last touch for both goals. I disagree that they were own goals. ‘I should have scored three and the manager told me that too. ‘He’s been great with me since I arrived and he speaks to me and encourages me all the time. ‘I have benefited from the encouragement and it has paid off today with me scoring. ‘I’m very happy, I’ve not had a start before this game, so I’m really pleased.’

Having suffered with a series of hamstring issues since arriving in Glasgow, the adulation he received from the Celtic support was a long time coming. ‘It’s a great club and the fans are incredible,’ said Bayo. ‘This was my first chance at starting and there were a lot of people watching. The fans were happy and they understand I have been waiting for this. ‘When I arrived I was really happy and then I suffered the injuries but the manager has been happy with me and the progress I was making, but I had to be patient.’ Despite claims to the contrary, Celtic boss Lennon was in no doubt that Bayo got off the mark with a double. Praising his contribution throughout the 78 minutes he was on the field, he said: ‘We were a bit slow to get the ball into him early on but once he found his feet, he was superb. He should have had a hat-trick and I’ve told him that as well. ‘His forte is getting on the end of crosses. He was unlucky to hit the post with his header. But he can be absolutely delighted. We all are with him. ‘I loved his second goal. It was a real striker’s goal getting across the defender and a wonderful finish.’ Restricted to fleeting appearances as a sub so far, Bayo has belatedly given Lennon an alternative to both Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths up front. ‘He had a bad hamstring rupture, which kept him out from March onwards,’ added Lennon. ‘Then he was looking decent in pre-season when the hamstring injury re-occurred. So he’s had to be patient. ‘We just felt Odsonne looked very fatigued last Thursday and he has a bit of a hand injury. So it was a good opportunity to showcase Bayo and see what he could do in that environment. He excelled. ‘It’s nice. We have three excellent strikers. Odsonne is in fantastic form and Bayo has shown quality today. In Griffiths, we know we have a player who can score goals out of nothing. So, it’s looking a bit better now in that position.’ Effusive in his praise for the manner in which Celtic kept themselves top of the table, Lennon said: ‘It was outstanding in the circumstances. It was as good a performance as I’ve had.’