Celtic midfielder Eboue Kouassi doesn't want to leave loan club Genk

By John McGinley

April 3, 2020

Celtic midfielder Eboue Kouassi is keen on staying to play for Belgian side Genk after signing for the club on loan, The Scottish Sun report.

The 22-year-old made the switch in January after failing to impress under Brendan Rodgers, suffering a serious injury before not making any sort of impact in Neil Lennon’s squad.

He made just four appearances for his new club before the suspension of their season.

Despite his limited action, he’s seen the move as a big success, revealing he’d like to stay and play in Belgium once the ongoing global health crisis subsides.

As quoted by The Scottish Sun, he said: “I have been focused on my loan at Genk and I hope to be able to play for them when this is over.

“I don’t want people thinking this hasn’t been a successful loan move just because I haven’t played too many games.

“I don’t see this as a failure, quite the opposite.

“When I joined Genk, I was not physically ready, but once I got fit, the manager showed he had faith in me and played me as soon as he could.

“If it wasn’t for the coronavirus, I would still be in the team. So I don’t see it as a failed loan – I view it as a success.”

It seems unlikely that Kouassi is ever going to reach the standard required at the Scottish champions, so it’d make perfect sense for him to make a permanent switch if both he and his loan club are getting something out of their relationship.

Celtic midfielder Eboue Kouassi / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Herald have previously reported that Genk have an option to buy the Ivorian, with his contract at Celtic due to expire at the end of next season.

Probable then that the midfielder has played his last game for the club.

It’d be nice to see him do well elsewhere.