Ismaila Soro was a work permit away from leaving Celtic on Monday but could still move on.
Business was light at Celtic Park on Monday, free of the traditional dramas such as in August when Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie left with Giorgos Giakoumakis, Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers arriving.
Celtic started January with the signings of Yosuke Guchi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda and kept the momentum going when Matt O’Riley arrived from MK Dons on January 20 and went straight into the wins over Hearts and Dundee United.
Soro’s appearances have been on the wane as the season progressed with the arrival of three January midfielders pushing him further to the margins. On Saturday against Dundee United Ben Doak was thrown on for his debut while Soro looked on from the bench.
Fortuna Sittard were interested in signing the 22-year-old Ivorian but that move never really got off the ground with a work permit required to work in the Netherlands.
Postecoglou told The Scotsman:
With guys like Soro it’s about trying to help them and if they get opportunities elsewhere to try and facilitate that,
There was a complication with Holland because unfortunately he needed to have a work permit sorted for us to do a deal yesterday. That didn’t happen. But with him and a couple of others there are still markets open and he is training well and available.
Celtic are reported to have paid Israeli side Bnei Yehuda £2m to sign Soro in January 2020, this season the midfielder has started one SPFL match and five UEFA games.
