Elfsborg chairman Bo Johansson has warned Celtic that Mo Bangura has a lust for revenge.
As soon as the Champions League draw was made Neil Lennon suggested that the on-loan striker shouldn’t play against the hoops.
The Swedish champions took the striker on a season long loan in February and are adamant that he’ll play against Celtic.
Bangura is due back at Celtic later this year but can expect a frosty reception if he plays any role in his employers European exit.
Once his loan expires there is nothing that Elfsborg can do for the player Johansson is determined that Bangura plays his part in their Champions League campaign.
“Celtic loaned him out because they do not believe that Mohamed is a good enough player,” the Elfsborg chairman claimed.
“He is looking forward to playing and there will be some lust for revenge. This gives us extra lighter fluid — we will use this to motivate us.
“He is our player and will play. Lennon’s statement was very unfortunate. I don’t understand what he is thinking. It’s off the wall for Celtic to put pressure on a player that is not theirs.”
Bangura joined Celtic two years ago from AIK Stockholm but was unable to force his way into the side due to the form of Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes.
During the 2013 winter break he did score against Steau Bucharest in a friendly played in Spain but was quickly packed off to Elfsborg.
That move sparked controversy in Sweden where AIK felt they had first option on their former striker but the latest row is sure to rumble on through both matches- and possibly beyond.
Simple thing to do is to cut his loan deal as HE IS STILL OUR PLAYER
Tell them to pay the £2m and they can have him and if they can’t tell them he’s our player and he’s not playing or tell him he’s not playing and if he insists he’s playing end the loan if possible and sit him in the stand until his contract is finished HH
I agree or terminate his contract if it’s cheaper if we can’t sell him within that period
It should have been automatically written into his contract that he cannot play against Celtic while on loan, so why did this not happen? However, he is still Celtic’s player and the Elfsborg chairman lacks a certain logical perspective here. It would be very interesting to know what percentage of his salary Elfsborg are paying. If not all of it, then Elfsborg’s position is weak. Celtic loaned him out to gain further playing time and experience, not because they think he is not up to it.
What were Celtic thinking not putting this into his loan contract agreement. Silly, very silly!
As he is a Celtic player on loan we can recall him at any time , I would imagine this is what will happen should a gentlemans agreement not be reached regarding him not playing
If he puts us out I don’t think I would want him back at Paradise.
To be honest he isn’t as good as stokes/watt/Sammy so why are we worried. Concentrate on our team, if he wasn’t out on loan he wouldn’t feature for us so why worry about him. We should have enough in the tank to go through, and it would be a bit embarrassing if he didn’t play and we got knocked out anyway…..
I dont want him back at paradise either way, complete flop of a player
We can’t/couldn’t force him not to play as they paid a fee.
So they are really renting him from us, you don’t rent a house and allow the landlord to tell you what nights you can use it eh?
He’s rubbish. I don’t understand our need for concern!
Gentalmans agreement eh? not at all woried about bangura all he gave us was a headacke nae apperances wasent showin the gaffer what he could do in traning
Horse them off the park 5-0 both home and away, with or without Bangura. Easy !
Will be a tough match, however. Very tough !
Alex Ferguson routinely told clubs they couldn’t feature players he loaned them against United. This isn’t anything new. Not sure what UEFA demands. If Bangura plays Wednesday, it will guarantee he never puts on a Celtic shirt again. If he plays, recall the loan.