Just when it looked as if the transfer window at Celtic Park was going to end with very little happening on Friday night, an approach from St Mirren changed that.
STV Sports reporter Raman Bhardwaj reported on Twitter that the Premiership side had approached Celtic about signing Vakoun Bayo on loan for the rest of the season, but that a deal was ‘unlikely’ to happen.
That was the case, as he was still a Celtic player when the window slammed shut at midnight.
That is not really a shock, as Neil Lennon recently told the Daily Record that he wants four strikers in his squad.
“The only way Bayo would go is if we brought another one in. I want to run with four strikers” he said.
Needs game time
However, the Hoops should have sanctioned Bayo’s departure. It would have done the player good to get some regular playing time.
With the best will in the world to the player, at the moment he looks like Celtic’s fourth choice striker. His playing time looks like it will be severely limited, especially with the Hoops in the middle of a title race.
That is why he should have been allowed to leave on loan. It would have been much better for the player to feature for a team, even one that is struggling – St Mirren are currently 10th in the Premiership – than sitting on Celtic’s bench, and getting a minute of game time here and there.
Player seemed keen on a loan move
Bayo himself seemed keen on a loan move. The Scottish Sun reported a few weeks ago that the player had requested a move, and hadn’t ruled out a move to another Scottish club.
However, it is not to be, and he remains at Celtic Park. Hopefully Neil Lennon’s wish for four strikers indicates that Bayo will get some more game time as the Hoops aim to win nine in a row.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
