Toulouse boss in backhanded comment about Bayo’s Celtic fitness

Toulouse boss Patrice Garande has praised Vakoun Issouf Bayo for his fitness in an apparent backhanded comment about the fitness of the player when he arrived at the club. As reported by The Daily Record, the perceived dig from Garande may be at the standard of training or the player’s own work rate; however, it seemed as if the dig was against the standard of training received at Celtic. When discussing his team selections of late, Garande said that Bayo was in great physical shape.

“Bayo has shown to be efficient and he is currently in a physical shape he has never experienced since arriving.”

Brendan Rodgers was the manager in January 2019 when Bayo signed and made his debut away to Killie under Rodgers. However, a few weeks later he was gone and replaced by Neil Lennon.

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Injuries hampered his progress in Glasgow with the 23-year-old missing preseason before returning to fitness in time to sign for the Ligue 2 side. Two goals on his debut will have helped him get some confidence back. He has built on from that start and is regaining form in France. However, there may very well be a new manager in charge come next season when he may be asked whether he wants to return to Celtic or stay in France.

A dubious red card in the Europa League curtailed the progress that he had made to get into Neil Lennon’s reckoning before an injury ruled him out until after the winter break. Bayo was signed in January 2019, meaning he has been at Celtic for over two years already, yet has managed just 16 appearances. In that time he has scored twice (4 time if we include those that were given as own goals but are disputable) in his 364 minutes of action.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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