It’s fair to say that Boli Bolingoli enters October a completely different player to the one that started September.
A month ago many Celtic fans were unsure of the £3m Rapid Vienna defender with speculation that Greg Taylor was being signed with the intention to go straight into the team at Ibrox.
It took until Deadline Day to complete the signing of the defender from Kilmarnock with Bolingoli revelling in the derby day atmosphere as Celtic took the points with a 2-0 win.
Taylor is still waiting to make his Celtic debut but the former Rapid Vienna defender is well aware of the competition breathing down his neck for a place in Neil Lennon’s side.
“I welcomed the challenge when Greg came,” Bolingoli told the Daily Record. “Even when Kieran was here I said it would be a big challenge for both of us if he stayed here beyond deadline day.
“With Greg we’re working hard every day and the coach can only choose 11 players but it’s a positive competition as Jonny is doing well as a left-back too. We try to motivate each other and be ready for the team. We want someone of quality to come in and make the difference if they are required to play.”
Bolingoli and Christopher Jullien were both on the bench for the Champions League qualifier against Cluj but are expected to start Thursday’s Europa League tie against the Romanian’s who opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Lazio.
