Vakoun Issouf Bayo has revealed the key role that Kolo Toure played in bringing him to Celtic.
The Ivorian striker was introduced to the fans at half-time during the 4-0 win over St Mirren on Wednesday night and has a key role to play in the run in to the season.
Bayo will go straight into a crash course of fitness work- he hasn’t played since December 8- as Celtic look to impose their strength on the title race.
Whether he likes it or not there is an expectation on the new bhoy to replace Moussa Dembele with Odsonne Edouard left to shoulder the striking role throughout the first half of the season.
Bayo grew up watching the EPL and will take inspiration from one the greatest strikers of the modern era while drawing on the support of the Celtic coach who starred with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
“My idol was Didier Drogba,” the new Celtic striker told the Evening Times. “He is my hero, the one I always looked up to. I can’t say that I copy his style or that I’d want to copy him.
“Every player has his own individual style, you play to your strengths, but there are qualities I saw in Drogba which I think I have as well. I would try to emulate him in that way.
He added: “Kolo played a role because he spoke to me when the offer was made. Kolo talked about the club and the set-up and everything he had to say was very positive; it was a factor in me deciding to come here.
“I know Kolo very well because he also works for the Ivory Coast national team as a part time coach and I’ve been on the fringes for a while.
“It’s not like he called me out of the blue – he’s a bit like a big brother to me. So, it was very pleasing he called but it’s not like I was starstruck and thinking ‘Oh, Kolo Toure is calling me’.
“When I play football the way I look at it is that I’m trying to be a role model for young Ivorians and for them to feel they can do the same rather than me wanting me to like Kolo or Yaya Toure.
“My ambition is more to help the younger generation in the Ivory Coast. My aim on the pitch is to score goals and help the team.”
A dozen goal towards a treble treble will be warmly welcomed.
