Celtic and Kilmarnock are in talks over a deal for Rabui Ibrahim with one Nigerian source quoting the midfielder as turning down a move to Russia to sign a two year deal with Killie.
Ibrahim joined Celtic a year ago from PSV Eindhoven but has had limited opportunities to force his way into Neil Lennon’s first team plans with his last appearance being in the 1-1 draw at home to Arbroath in the Scottish Cup.
UPDATE: Kilmarnock have confirmed that a two year deal has been signed
Lennon has no shortage of midfield options with Dylan McGeouch, Filip Twardzik, Jackson Irvine and John Herron all making first team appearances in the first half of the season.
Ibrahim has been tipped for big things for a number of years but after spells at Sporting Lisbon and PSV Eindhoven before moving to Celtic he is still waiting for the breakthrough.
Despite his lack of club appearances the 21-year-old is with the Nigerian squad preparing for the African Nations Cup but faces a tough task to make it into the finals squad for South Africa.
While any deal has still to be completed the Nigerian website Mobi Super Sport have quotes from Ibrahim that the deal has been signed.
Discounting a move to Russia they quote the midfielder saying: “As far as I was concerned, Russia was my destination but the moment Kilmarnock showed an interest I was happy because I really wanted to stay in Scotland and Kilmarnock play modern passing (game). They often play 4-3-3 with a playmaker which suits me.
“The manager of Kilmarnock (Kenny Shiels) spoke to my manager and also spoke with me and I am excited about his plans.
“I am very happy in Glasgow and I have really settled in here and I believe I can do great things in the SPL. I have to keep fighting. Football is a fight, and success doesn’t come easy.
“In Sporting Lisbon I fought for a place with captain Joao Moutinho and at PSV Eindhoven I competed for a place with Ola Toivonen, the captain and Kevin Strootman, these are all top players.
“Now at Celtic there are senior, experienced and influential players like Scot Brown, the captain, Victor Wanyama, Chris Commons etc, who can all play in the same position.
“I can’t expect to be ahead of these players and that’s the reality. I am now in Kilmarnock, the fight goes on.”
Ibrahim’s agent Tony Harris added: “Rabiu is an exceptionally gifted player. This could well be the perfect fulcrum for him. There were discussions for Rabiu to go on loan to a couple of SPL clubs but eventually he was allowed to leave Celtic and move to Kilmarnock. He has signed a two-year contract.
“Celtic are doing well in the SPL and Champions League, and they have lots of experience in the midfield, hence his opportunities were limited.
“There was a possibility for Rabiu to go to Russia but his preference is to remain in the UK for now. He has great ambitions and I am happy for him.”
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Great news. Why does this not happen more often? We buy guys like Hooived, Rasmussen, Bangura etc who struggle to adapt to Scottish football- what do we do? Ship them off to foreign leagues on loan rather than other Scottish teams.
Would love to see Paddy McCourt at another Scottish club just to see how good he is- i think he could put at least 500 onto a clubs gate. He a’int getting a chance under Lenny- he is viewed as a luxury. Hope he moves into a decent club so we get the privilege of seeing such a good footballer. Also hope Ibrahim is on fire at Killie- maybe if we had done the same for Niall McGinn he would have scored 13 league goals for us this season rather than Aberdeen.
What little I saw of him, never thought he would command a first team slot, who knows it might work out for him at Kilmarnock who could adapt to suit his style.
Good to see we are starting to clear out those who are simply making up the numbers, another 2-3 fringe players outin this window would be ideal. We have ample talent within the youth ranks to replace fringe players who offered little.
Hopefully we might see more of McGeough & Watt in the months ahead…they are the future of the club.
Hopeless
Would like to see Celtic bring in an experienced playmaker,I’d go for Aiden Mcgeady.
I think you need to go back on the pills Charlie.