Celtic man Ismaila Soro is undoubtedly a fan favourite.
As supporters, our needs our simple. We want our players to try. You don’t necessarily need all the skill in the world. As long as you channel the passion of the supporters, you’ll at least be remembered fondly.
Soro has that effort in vast supply. Additionally, he just so happens to be a very decent footballer. Only 22, Soro has boundless energy, is a smart reader of the game, and is able to stop opposition moves in their tracks with perceptive tackling and intercepting.
Not only that, he’s capable of scoring the odd screamer [SPFL/YouTube].
All that is excellent, combined with the infectious smile that Soro plays with. He’s inherently a likeable guy. But we don’t actually know a great deal about him. Or at least, we didn’t, until this morning. Daily Mail journalist Hugh McDonald’s expansive piece on the midfielder is an essential read for any fans of the Ivorian midfielder.
Ahead of the Glasgow Derby, a game we suggest Soro must start, the 22-year-old was asked about his upbringing, his career and moving to Celtic. About his early years, the Ivorian said [Daily Mail]:
“We played in bare feet.
“Just a vest. No replica strips. Just playing morning, noon and night. All day, every day. We made our own goalposts. It was our life.
“I grew up in the streets. My big brother always said to me: ‘Come on, let us play football’. So we would go out with all our friends and play. Toujours.”
Ismaila Soro: his Celtic “home”, looking ahead
Long after those days of playing in the streets, Soro is one of the most exciting youngsters in Scottish football. Making his breakthrough in December against Lille, the midfielder was absolutely everywhere, inspiring supporters with confidence about life after Scott Brown.
It took a while to come. Soro talked about the difficulty of breaking into the first team, deputising for club legend Scott Brown. He said:
“It was very, very hard.
“You go to training, work hard but don’t play at the weekend. That is tough.
“My character, my way, is never to let go, I always push myself. I was determined to play in the first team and take my chance.”
Since Lille, he’s enjoyed prolonged spells in the side. More recently, however, he’s not featured as often. Worries about his fitness, as well as a car crash, have halted his momentum. However, with Scott Brown potentially moving on in the summer, supporters are desperate to see the lovable midfielder become a Celtic regular.
Certainly, it’s something Soro wants, too.
“I want to be a big part of this club going forward. I want to win trophies and make the fans happy.”
READ MORE: Another European giant “enters equation” for Celtic star man.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
