It has been quite a few years now that we have been in the search for Scott Brown’s successor. Many have come and gone in the deep midfield role, seemingly not up to the task of replacing the committed and resolute displays that ‘Broony’ has had to offer in his twelve-year tenure at Celtic Park. Eboue Kouassi, Youssouf Mulumbu (despite his age) and Stefan Johansen have arrived at Paradise in recent years with the task of learning from Broony to become the steel in central midfield. Ultimately, they haven’t passed the test as our bald-headed brute continued to be one of the first names on the team sheet; although, this is changing recently due to one man’s improved form.
Ismaila Soro, signed from Israeli Premier League side Bnei Yehuda just under a year ago, was appearanceless for the first nine months of his spell in Glasgow with a knee injury he’d picked up before his move, and ultimately missed the rest of the season due to its COVID cancellation. Having waited patiently for his chance – coupled with the inevitable slight decline of an aging Brown – Soro has been thrusted into life at Parkhead and alongside summer signing David Turnbull, hasn’t looked back. Scoring his first league goal for the Bhoys’ on Wednesday with a long-range effort, fans were highly praising of Soro, with one supporter calling him and the ‘Wishaw Wizard’ a perfect match in midfield.
Soro My Man of the Match absolutely MAGNIFICENT. Him and Turnbull are a Perfect match in Midfield. Both have to Start the Old Firm 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZyZMgZuqoq
— Buff Egan (@buff_egan) December 30, 2020
Celtic without Soro and Turnbull
vs
Celtic with Soro and Turnbull pic.twitter.com/a7hpCv0JLS
— PJ (@PJ_1888) December 30, 2020
Good display. Soro & Turnbull has revitalised us, as evidenced by their fine goals. Hopefully Edouard's chip = confidence boost. Both FB's are vital in a diamond, Laxalt is tidy enough but needs an assist soon. Zero excuses for Lennon to drop anyone for Brown. Must win at Ibrox.
— Michael McDonald (@Mikey_Bhoy_1993) December 30, 2020
Ismaila Soro vs Dundee United
3 tackles & interceptions
2 shots
2 dribbles
2 chances created (from DM)
96% pass acc (team high)
1 goal
1 assistUnflappable. Undroppable. The Legend of Soro continues… pic.twitter.com/A7kvVjkHE9
— Hamill (@CPHamill) December 30, 2020
I cannot describe in words how good Ismaila Soro is.
— Ryan Fitzsimons (@RyanStevenF) December 30, 2020
Ismaila Soro is worth £150 million!
*calculated using the Rangers inflation method
— The Celtic Bhoys (@CelticBhoysFS) December 30, 2020
After a year of frustration for the Ivorian Interceptor, he must be elated with his dominating performances – and long may it continue.