Neil Lennon provides updated timeframe on imminent Celtic signing Ismaila Soro

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon has provided an updated timeframe on the imminent arrival of Ismaila Soro.

The Scottish Sun reported yesterday that the midfielder may be carrying out his medical in Israel. This was apparently down to the fact that Soro needed a visa in order to travel to the UK.

It’s taken a bit of time to finalise this one. His manager stated over a week ago that a deal had been agreed between both Celtic and Bnei Yehuda regarding his transfer (The Times).

However, Lenny has provided an update on where we’re at regarding his arrival. Speaking at the pre-match presser for tomorrow’s game against Kilmarnock, the Hoops boss said the following via social media:

“The paperwork on Soro is still ongoing. He’s doing his medical at the minute, takes a day or two. Hopefully we can get him over here and get him cracking.”

Finally looks set to be finalised

So long as the work permit application goes through successfully, it looks as though this is a goer. With the medical being confirmed by Lennon, that proves the deal is in its final stages.

It initially looked as though the deal was going to stall a tad longer last week. Reports were coming out that the player’s representatives were in a dispute with the club over the percentage of fee involved. This was apparently down to the agents owning 30% of the player (Scottish Sun).

Celtic hopefully won’t have much trouble further down the line regarding agent fees. It doesn’t bode well for the future years if we were to try and sell him on for a high price. Hopefully, that’s something Celtic will have covered in their private talks over the last couple of weeks.

We seem to be getting a player full of determination in any case. His former manager, Yossi Abukasis, revealed his desire to play on for his club immediately after his father’s death. This was so he didn’t let the club down in European football. So his attitude is clearly spot-on as an individual (Daily Record).

Lennon will hopefully have a further update on where the deal is after the Kilmarnock game tomorrow. With a bit of luck he comes through the medical with flying colours and is soon able to complete the paperwork.

The gaffer is clearly itching to get him started, and considering we’ve already returned to action, it’s definitely a case of the sooner the better.