The calls for Ismaila Soro to return to the Celtic fold have begun

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It’s not surprising to see the calls for Ismaila Soro to return to the Celtic fold crop up again.

The Ivorian has struggled for minutes under John Kennedy after a flurry of starts over the course of December and January.

Indeed, Soro was part of a Celtic side that bossed things at Ibrox back in December as we played our rivals off their own park. Granted, we lost 1-0 in the end, but Soro’s energy and drive as the deep point of the diamond was key for us.

We saw in yesterday’s Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers just how slow Scott Brown is in dealing with pacey threats. It gives us no joy to say this, but Ryan Kent had him beat far too often. It was never more evident than for the first goal either.

But Brown’s overall display was far too passive. Rangers were back to completely bypassing him with ease, whilst the aggressive Broony we’ve come to expect wasn’t on show.

Ismaila Soro needs to be given a pathway into the first-team; Brown’s days now numbered

You could see why interim boss John Kennedy started him. It’s his final meaningful game in Govan and it would’ve been oh so sweet if we’d have picked up the win. It was a chance for him to get a final laugh over his long-term rivals.

Now, however, the situation has changed. We have nothing to play for anymore and Brown is off for Aberdeen in the summer. For the good of the team, it’s therefore essential that Kennedy plays his long-term replacement – Soro – in the remaining games.

The Ivorian has been starved of action in recent weeks. He’s only played 14 league minutes and 18 Scottish Cup minutes under Kennedy in six matches. He’s become an afterthought due to Brown’s recent form combined with the sentimentality aspect.

Regardless, it’s time to move on and give Soro some of these high-profile games between now and the end of the campaign. Celtic travel to Pittodrie on Wednesday night and are then back at Ibrox on May 2nd. We’ve also got a trip to Easter Road still to come. What an opportunity that is for the likes of Soro to get used to some big games again before the new season.

And fans have been demanding that Kennedy makes the change as they react to yesterday’s poor display:

https://twitter.com/BrendskiTam/status/1383887907023294472

https://twitter.com/rdenholm18/status/1383873278947647492

https://twitter.com/AJThoms214/status/1383830003096293378

https://twitter.com/FNole/status/1383808253985902592

https://twitter.com/aboutceltic/status/1383811273209487371

https://twitter.com/Seanb18881/status/1383797016476602369

In other news, David Turnbull has made a worrying remark about the Celtic dressing room.