Vakoun Bayo is happy to bide his time and follow the Odsonne Edouard route into the Celtic first team.
Three seasons ago Edouard was behind Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths in Brendan Rodgers’ plans but when given the chance to shine showed what he was made of.
A December hat-trick against Motherwell served notice of what the young Frenchman could do before three goals in two derby appearances convinced Celtic to make the move permanent.
Edouard is now first choice for Celtic and the French u-21 side with Bayo believing that his career can take a similar path.
He told The Sun:
Odsonne is the No?1 striker and I know I have to work very hard if I want to play as the first striker. That will take time, just like it did with Odsonne. He also had to be patient to get his opportunities when he first arrived at Celtic. I know my time will come. I can see the progress I’ve made and that gives me hope.
It’s not going to be just handed to me. I need to work hard every day in training to show the manager that I can make a difference in the team and score goals. The competition drives us all and I am enjoying the challenge here because it is a great club.
Bayo has scored three goals this season even though the SPFL decided to award two as own goals during the 3-1 win over Hearts.
The striker has been thrown on as a substitute during Celtic’s last two league matches away to Livingston and Hibs with Neil Lennon positive about his attributes and development this season.