What ‘people at Celtic’ really think about Jocelin Ta Bi and why January transfer collapse is not fatal

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Celtic’s January transfer move for Jocelin Ta Bi is off as the forward appears to require surgery on an injury he is carrying.

Celtic were linked to Ta Bi just over two weeks ago as the then boss Wilfried Nancy looked to add a striker to his flailing squad.

It was thought that Ta Bi was set to sign for Celtic prior to the Parkhead board sacking Nancy, but that deal now appears to be off.

The Ivorian attacker spoke out about his move to Celtic with Ta Bi calling it a ‘dream’, but that has now turned into a nightmare after The Herald said injury has scuppered the transfer.

But it seems the deal may not have gone through in January anyway as Roger Hannah shares what ‘people at Celtic’ really think of the young striker.

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Roger Hannah’s ‘understanding’ about Celtic and Jocelin Ta Bi

Hannah was speaking about Ta Bi over the weekend as the deal appeared to have hit a snag. And shared what is being said about the player from Celtic.

Hannah told Go Ballistic, “My understanding is, a bit like I said about Miguel Chaiwa, at 20 years of age having been out on loan from one Israeli team to another, I think people at Celtic have looked at him and realised that he’s not going to be ready to come in and make an impact in a title race.

“He might prove to be a very good player. He might be a lad that Celtic sign with a view to the future.”

Watch what Hannah said in full below.

This was before the news broke that Ta Bi had an injury issue that required surgery, but it’s not all bad news for the player and, apparently, Celtic.

Stephen McGowan explains why the move to bring Jocelyn Ta Bi to Celtic is not over

Stephen McGowan brought the news that Ta Bi’s surgery has scuppered the chances of Celtic making a January move for the striker.

But it seems that the deal is not completely dead in the water.

McGowan wrote in The Herald, “Celtic’s hopes of concluding a £2million deal for Ivory Coast winger Jocelin Ta Bi have been undermined by injury.

“Plans to complete the deal are now under review, however, after tests showed up that the Maccabi Netanya right winger requires surgery for a medical issue.

“Regarded as a prospect for the future, Celtic could return for Ta Bi in the summer but now look likely to turn their attention to other targets after the latest setback to plans to reinforce the squad this month.”

So it seems that while the deal is on ice for now, Celtic have not completely pulled the plug on Ta Bi just yet.

Who Martin O’Neill is looking at is anyone’s guess but, for now, Celtic fans will sit and wait as the club goes into the 12th day of the January window with no striker signed as yet.