Vakoun Issouf Bayo

Neil Lennon hopes Vakoun Bayo can be Celtic’s head Bhoy and reckons his aerial ability is a throwback to legend Henrik Larsson.

The Ivorian nodded the champions on their way to a 5-0 Betfred Cup demolition of Partick Thistle in midweek with his first Celtic goal.

Bayo has struggled with injuries since his £2million move from Dunajska Streda but Lennon says he’s now showing his potential.

The Celtic boss has been impressed with what he has seen from the 22-year-old and paid him the ultimate compliment by mentioning him in the same breath as idol Larsson .

Lennon said: “We like Vakoun and he’s got that aerial threat and that hanging time that Henrik used to have.

“Henrik was great regardless of whether the ball came in from the right or left. He could use his neck muscles and his timing for someone who wasn’t what you would call big was immaculate.



“The amount of goals he scored from corners and when you think of the two he scored in Seville – the first one was unbelievable because he had to generate his own power from the cross – he was one of the greats in that department.

“Bayo has got that natural talent for timing in the air which you don’t see very often nowadays because heading the ball is a lost art in the game.


“He brings an extra dimension to the way we play and it’s a nice asset to have. He hangs, gets the neck muscles going and heads it down which is always more difficult for a goalkeeper to get to.

“If you look at a lot of international teams, they still play with a big striker. France won the World Cup with Giroud, Croatia got to the final with Mandzukic, look at Morata and Torres before him with Spain.

“Unselfish as well for the fifth goal on Wednesday. He could have taken the shot but he slipped Tom in so that was good awareness

“I was very pleased with his performance, he has a lot of work to do still but he is relishing the challenge. He’s a real threat and if we can get enough quality in to him you feel he’ll score.”

 

Bayo and Edouard up top together is dream land.

 

We never seem to play well with two up top, as much as I’d love for it to work it just doesn’t which is a shame because with 3 strikers that could all start it will mean one misses out every time.

 

Bayo and Griff too considering the balls Griff can ping in from set plays.

 

Bayo Griff & French Eddie, just one time pls......

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Loves the big mans hunger. Non stop full pelt anytime he plays. Desperate to make a mark.

 

Surely worth a try, as Eddy loves to cut in from the left.

 

He does look quality

 

Either an utter disaster or a record score

 

Ooofft, imagine the amount of OGs that game

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Obviously not getting carried away comparing but there is a point to be made considering individual styles and potential to completely dominate the box.

 

Thought he done well when he come on but edouard should have stayed on the pitch.

 

Thought he looked really good again as well, would have been big if he buried that one shot he had worked the space well then must have been leaning back and skelped it miles over.

His hold up play I think is better than Edouard, Edouard can be too soft and take too many touches as he gets barged into and starts to run. Bayo is solid enough to hold a guy off and turn them or play a 1-2 which we rarely see from Edouard, Edouard usually either tries a first time pass or ends up running backwards with the ball.

 

Definitely another good impression he made today, just a pity his finishing wasn't great but Jamesy, Callum, Ntcham and Eddy all had weak attempts on goal so I guess it was one of those days.

His overhead kick was incredible speed of thought, Hibs did well to block that.

 

When are we gonna see a phenomenal link up striker at the top of his game....being allowed to play two up top with a real handful?

 

When our attacking midfielders or wingers stop performing.

 

So it should've happened second half today then?

 

Christie scored mate.

 

I know but I still thought he was really poor today..

Doesn't mean he should've been subbed to accommodate it anyway..