It was certainly a career of two halves- before Juventus and after.
Up until he played against the Italian champions in the last 16 of the Champions League in 2013 Efe Ambrose was a first pick in any Celtic side.
Alongside Kelvin Wilson in central defence he had helped Neil Lennon’s side through the group stage of the Champions League with a record that showed an away win and home victory over Barcelona.
On this day in 1988, Efe Ambrose is born. A likeable guy who had one error too many in him. Great at somersaults however. Happy birthday! pic.twitter.com/HAcXZml3V5
— CelticLisboa (@CelticLisboaa) October 17, 2018
The African Nations Cup of 2013 was to prove the watershed in his Celtic career as he rushed back to play against Juventus after Nigeria had triumphed in the final against Burkina Faso.
From then on it was downhill as the phrase bomb-scare became associated with the defender.
Ronny Deila tried to resolve the issue, Brendan Rodgers briefly gave him a chance but there almost always seemed to be one big mistake in his play.
Lennon kept the faith, he knew what he was getting and took Efe on loan to Hibs in 2017 where he helped the Edinburgh side to promotion.
Last season Ambrose scored against Celtic at Easter Road, few Celtic fans grudged him him moment with his celebrations of the muted variety.
Today he turns 30, hopefully there will be no birthday somersaults on Saturday.
