Celtic Outcast Set For Summer Loan Amid Interest From Serbia: Why The Hoops Must Accept The Deal | OneFootball

If a report from Football Scotland is believed to be true, Celtic flop Ismaila Soro is set to part ways this summer. He is expected to complete a season-long loan amid interest from Serbian heavyweights Partizan Belgrade. They finished runners-up behind Red Star Belgrade for the third successive campaign, and therefore, are desperate to strengthen themselves by roping in new names.

Celtic have scouted the Israeli League extensively in recent years and the signing of the Ivorian from Bnei Yehuda was labelled as an exciting one. He was supposed to replace then-skipper Scott Brown in the long run, but a miserable display in the centre of the pitch cost him his first-team status. Soro is no more in Ange Postecoglou’s plan and the Hoops are keen on offloading the midfielder despite losing Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton prior to the upcoming term.

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international began his youth spell with Moossou back in his homeland. He made his senior debut for the little-known Moldovan side Saxan before joining Belarusian outfit Gomel. That stint in Israel earned him attention and the Celts, known for tying down emerging prospects and making them famous, banked on his potential back in January 2020.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 10: Ismaila Soro of Celtic battles for possession with Jonathan David of Lille during the UEFA Europa League Group H stage match between Celtic and LOSC Lille at Celtic Park on December 10, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images). The 4th Official uses images provided by the following image agency: Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.de/). Imago Images (https://www.imago-images.de/)

Why Celtic Should Offload Him This Summer

Things did not go as planned even though he was handed ample time to settle in and attune to the demands of the Scottish game. Soro made 23 appearances in 2020-21 under Neil Lennon and the Bhoys, in spite of a forgettable campaign, had high hopes from the deep-lying playmaker following glimpses of mastery in the middle of the park. Scott Brown’s exit paved the way for Soro to shine in his preferred ‘number 6’ role. However, a dreadful start early into the season saw him slipping down the pecking order.

Although he played 19 times since Postecoglou’s appointment as the new Parkhead chief, the Aussie boss handed him only six starts across competitions. Soro failed to make it to the matchday squad after failing to secure a winter move and the door seems to be closed permanently even though he still has a couple of years left in his Celtic deal.

The Hoops, meanwhile, are highly reliant on skipper Callum McGregor. Veteran James McCarthy could not justify his reputation either and the manager must bring in someone to challenge and cover the Scottish ace in place of their midfield outcast.