The Best Of Both Worlds

Kolo Toure is revelling in his unofficial role as player/coach.

- Martin Dalziel

BOTH on and off the field with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, Kolo Toure has learned from the best and now Celtic are reaping the benefit of that experience.

He is still learning from Brendan Rodgers but also imparting his vast knowledge to youngsters at the club and none has profited more than Dedryck Boyata who has been a revelation since fighting his way back into the team.

However, a combination of Boyata along with Jozo Simunovic and/or Erik Sviathcenko has limited Toure’s own time in the team, something he intends to remedy – but only if it is for the good of the club...

Are you still fighting for your place?

I’m still fighting for a place in the team, because I’m a competitor. I still feel really good and for me to keep playing is very important. I just want to make myself available for the manager and any time he calls me I’ll be ready to do the job. In my mind I am still a player, mentally, but, of course, I have the opportunity to learn from who is, for me, one of the best managers in the world. Brendan Rodgers is a great manager and a great guy to learn from and he has great people working alongside him, plus he’s at one of the greatest clubs in the world. All of those aspects push me to start thinking about the future. As a football player it isn’t easy to just say I’ll finish my career, as at the same time you have to think about the future and I have a great opportunity with Brendan and the staff here.

Is coaching something that’s always been an ambition of yours, or is it the fact that you’re working so closely with Brendan nearer the end of your career?