Brendan Rodgers is using Kolo Toure as a super scout.
The former Liverpool defender has dropped out of Rodgers’ first team plans but is now playing a vital role behind the scenes.
Toure’s cv and story is known across Africa with the Celtic boss keen to develop that market to bring players to the hoops.
Victor Wanyama was a success on the park and on the balance sheet with Rodgers confident that Kouassi Eboue and others can benefit from the Toure experience.
“Yes, especially for Scotland,” Rodgers told The Sun about bring in more African players. “I look at the Scottish players and say: ‘Can I help them, can I develop them but there are also certain markets you can bring players in from to help Celtic and help Scottish football, and Africa has always been that.
“It’s always been a market where you find players who are hungry. Kolo Toure is the perfect example.
“You only need to look a Kolo’s academy in the Ivory Coast to see the likes of Gervinho, Yaya Toure and Kolo emerging from it — big talents.
“Ghana, Mali, Ivory Coast, Senegal, in western Africa they have big talent.”
Celtic are hopeful that Toure’s work permit will quickly be granted allowing the teenage midfielder to train with his new team-mates.
Rodgers is confident that he can make a quick impact on the side with three key SPFL matches coming up at home to St Johnstone, Hearts and Aberdeen within a fortnight of the season resuming.