Neil Lennon has admitted that there was a work ethic issue with Albian Ajeti earlier in the season.
It seems an incredible issue for a £5m signing to have but perhaps leaving the bright lights of the EPL and West Ham for the SPFL was the issue.
After arriving a few weeks into the start of the season Ajeti looked like being a great addition to the Celtic squad as he started out with a run of goals without completing a full match.
A hamstring injury picked up scoring against Hibs at the end of September seemed to set the striker back with last night’s goal at Kilmarnock his first strike in four months.
Building on that is the plan for Lennon but he did admit to Radio Scotland that he was concerned by the attitude of his summer signing.
14 minutes 30 seconds
Radio Scotland: What has been the issue?
Neil Lennon: “He was out for quite a long time of football last year, he had fitness problems coming in. He got in the team then had a couple of hamstring injuries, he was away with Switzerland and then he pulled his hamstring again sort of, maybe November time.
“It’s been a slow burner for him, his work ethic hasn’t been good enough, he knows that, he’s changed that now. He’s rewarded himself, us and the team with a goal and a good performance. We want to get more out of him now between now and the end of the season because we think that he is a very good striker. He’s got to really get his Celtic career up and running now. That’s a good start for him.”
Last night’s game was the first time that Ajeti has completed 90 minutes as a Celtic player, another full match and appearance on the score sheet against Motherwell on Saturday would be very welcome for his manager.