VAKOUN BAYO has edged ahead of Leigh Griffiths to become the second striker at Celtic, believes former Celtic Star Chris Sutton. The big Englishman knows all about leading the line for Celtic and he has been impressed by the power and he aerial ability of the £2million January signing from Dunajska Streda who finally got his first (official) goal for Celtic on Wednesday night.
Craig Levein was too busy to rule this one out as his side were playing Aberdeen at the same time.
Sutton accepts that Odsonne Edoaurd is the clear choice for first pick striker for his old teammate Neil Lennon but reckons that the competition to be the back-up striker has intensified and that Bayo has now edged ahead of Leigh Griffiths.
“I think Bayo’s a development player and a work in progress. He has some really good raw attributes. I think he’s powerful, and he is good in the air,” Sutton told Scottish Sun.
“I was pleased to see him get game time against Partick Thistle, because there’s no doubt Celtic have a problem if Edouard gets injured, and Neil Lennon needs to rely on another striker.
“Who’s second in the pecking order? It’s Bayo now. He’s overtaken Leigh Griffiths, although I know he’s got injury issues.
“But Griffiths has got serious work to do to get his place back in this Celtic side. He’s had a tremendous career at Celtic, but when you are out for the length of time he’s been then it’s so much more difficult to get back to a level.
“It’s not that Griffiths has ever been blessed with the greatest pace. But he had that sharpness about him, that ability to gain half a yard and get the shot off.
“The question mark over Griffiths will always be: ‘Will he ever regain that’? Of course, I hope he does. For now, though, it’s about opportunities for Bayo and he’s got to take them, just as he did against Thistle.
“I know he’s had a few injury worries himself since he joined Celtic. But you can definitely see his potential.
“There will be times when supporters get frustrated with Bayo. But Lenny needs to rely on a Number 2 striker, and he does seem to be the one who is holding that position now.”
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