Celtic midfielder Ismaila Soro has been a revelation in Neil Lennon’s team of late.
Against Lille, Kilmarnock and Ross County, the three games he’s recently started, he’s arguably been man of the match.
He was particularly impressive against the French side, providing the kind of mobile defensive stability we’ve been crying out for in the middle of the park.
Possessing awareness, intelligence and ambition with his passing, he’s been an exciting new performer on the Celtic scene.
Some have even compared him to Chelsea superstar N’Golo Kante.
While others may consider that a lazy comparison, it’s one that Soro has in fact made before. The Celtic 22-year-old idolises the French international midfielder.
Back when he signed for the club in January, from Israeli side Bnei Yehuda, he promised fans they’d see a player in the same mould, even if not the same quality.
He told The Herald: “I wouldn’t say the fans should expect the same level of player – but they will see the same type of player as Kante.
“To me, he is the model. He’s a player who never lets go, he has that never say die attitude I love.
“I watch every single match he plays. It’s part of my routine. I watch all the videos and clips – everything about him.
“Kante’s aggression, the way he plays, watching how he moves around the park is how I prepare for my games.”
A new Celtic enforcer
With Scott Brown’s Celtic career slowly drawing to a close, Soro could be the future defensive-minded midfielder we need at the club.
Of course, it’s early days; he’s yet to show true consistency over a long period.
However, the initial signs are that he is someone of the Kante mould. And that’s fantastic.
Soro, like Kante, isn’t a simple hatchet man. He plays with grace and intelligence too. His reading of the game looks to be as big a part of his skills as tackling and passing.
New signings often say grandiose things when they sign for Celtic.
Right now, though, Soro is exactly as advertised.
In other news, Celtic have managed to wind up both Celtic and Rangers fans with the same comment this week.
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