Celtic must ruthlessly axe Ismaila Soro amid transfer update | OneFootball

Celtic must ruthlessly axe Ismaila Soro in the January transfer window amid a recent update on his future…

What’s the story?

According to The Scottish Sun, the midfielder has emerged as a transfer target for MLS outfit New York Red Bulls, with the Hoops prepared to let him leave on either a loan or a permanent deal.

The report added that they are one of several American clubs interested in landing the Ivorian, and that having fallen out of favour under Ange Postecoglou, he is inching towards an exit from Parkhead.

Time for Soro to go

Dubbed as a player with “explosive power” by his former coach Ori Guttman, comparisons with Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante were also made as some tipped him to become a real star.

Guttman added: “Now he reminds me of N’Golo Kante at Chelsea. Kante maybe doesn’t look like he’s strong, but he is. He wins most duels and tackles. Soro does the same and wins the battles too.

“Both are good at dribbling with the ball. Neither of them score a lot of goals. They need creative guys alongside them in midfield, so they are alike in that way.”

Quite frankly, though, Soro hasn’t lived up to that potential. If anything, he has become somewhat of a liability with his tendency to fly into dangerous and ill-timed tackles – in fact, as per WhoScored, in the Scottish Premiership this season, the midfielder is actually making more fouls per game than successful tackles.

Also, his average match rating of 6.34 is the worst of any Celtic player who has featured more than five times this campaign in the league – a real indication of just how much his performances have fallen, and why selling him could be the right call.

It’s a potential decision which has also previously been backed by Celtic podcaster Patrick McGilp, who said just last month: “I think he’s one that you can try and move on.

“I would move Soro on, try and get something permanent if you can. I’m not too sure about a loan, because I’m talking about how many options we have, but you just never know when an injury crisis is going to hit. So if we can’t sell him, I would just keep him around the place, but if you can get money for him, I’d move him on.”

While at 23 he still has the time to grow and develop, he hasn’t shown enough to suggest that he will do so at Celtic; and even though it may be a ruthless call to get rid of him, it’s perhaps best for both parties to part ways.

The £12.5k-a-week earner simply needs to be moved on.