New Bhoy Can Be Shooting Star

Lubo Moravcik reckons Vakoun Issouf Bayo has the credentials to impress at Paradise, having watched him hit the goals in Slovakia

- Joe Donnelly

A GOALSCORER is always a goalscorer, reckons Celtic legend Lubomir Moravcik. He should know, having lined-up alongside some of the Hoops’ most prolific strikers – not least Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton and John Hartson – and having stared down the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and John Carew, among other top talents on the European stage.

The skilful Slovak also found the net 35 times himself during his four-year stay at Paradise, and is confident new Bhoy, Vakoun Issouf Bayo, can hit the ground running in Glasgow.

Bayo joins the Scottish champions from Slovakian Super League Dunajska Streda, on a four-year deal which will see him remain at the club until 2023. Moravcik described the Slovakian side as ambitious, and despite pegging first-place Slovan Bratislava as likely championship winners this season, he praised the dogged determination that Streda have shown throughout their 115-year history.

“I’ve seen Vakoun Issouf play, and he was very good,” said Moravcik in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View.

“In one game in particular, near the start of the season, he scored the winning goal – a header in the last minute.

“He’s been a very important player for Dunajska Streda. He’s scored a lot of goals, and he’s got a lot of potential. He’s young, he’s quick, he’s very good with his head and I definitely think he’s got a lot of promise.”

Bayo has netted 18 goals in 23 games this year, and the Ivory Coast internationalist’s record has impressed Moravcik. With a third consecutive treble still on the cards, and a last 32 Europa League encounter with Spanish outfit Valencia on the horizon, joining Brendan Rodgers’ side marks a new challenge for the 22-year-old striker.