Celtic have seemingly secured their second signing of the January transfer window.
Jocelin Ta Bi was first linked in late December, as the Hoops competed with KAA Gent and Trabzonspor for the winger’s signature.
Of course, since then, Wilfried Nancy has been sacked, being replaced by Martin O’Neill after defeat to Rangers in the Glasgow Derby.
Given that Ta Bi is a winger, this could actually suit him. A left-footer who plays off the right, he offers the Hoops a profile they haven’t had since the departure of Nicolas Kuhn.
The 20-year-old has spoken for the first time since agreeing the move to Glasgow.
Does Jocelin Ta Bi come in as an instant starter for Celtic?
Jocelin Ta Bi on January transfer to Celtic
The 20-year-old Ivorian has only played senior football in Israel, and is contracted to Maccabi Netanya.
However, he has spent this season on loan at Hapoel Petah Tikva, the same team from which Celtic signed Liel Abada.
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He now looks poised to become O’Neill’s first signing of his latest interim spell, having opened up on his decision to move to Glasgow.
Ta Bi said: “Playing for a club like Celtic is a dream come true for me.
“But without the support and love I received in Israel, I would not have reached these levels.
“The decision to come here and the trust I received from the club and my friends led me to progress.
“I will not forget the period I have had on loan at Hapoel Petah Tikva and the love and warmth that surrounded me.
“I am going to fulfil a big dream, at a famous club and in one of the best stadiums in the world.”
It remains to be seen if Ta Bi will be in the door for Saturday’s clash with Dundee United – if not, Yang Hyun-Jun and James Forrest remain the right-wing options.
In O’Neill’s spell earlier this season, we also saw Luke McCowan deputised as an impromptu right-winger.
Ta Bi becomes Celtic’s sixth Ivorian player. Olivier Tebily was the first in 1999, and the most recent was Ismaila Soro, who was also signed from Israel.
The team I would start against Dundee United is…
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