Celtic striker Vakoun Bayo has admitted he is finding life at the Hoops difficult after the departure of Brendan Rodgers last month, as reported by The Daily Record.
Brought into the club from Slovakian side Dunajska Strada in January, Bayo has made just a solitary appearance for the club so far, coming on in the final moments of a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.
It’s certainly been a frustrating time for the player and the departure of Rodgers appears to have further marginalised him in the first-team squad, with Neil Lennon keen on working with known quantities.
As quoted by The Daily Record, Bayo said of the situation:
The departure of the former coach has somewhat mixed my plans. Today, there is a new boss who runs the team. It is not easy. But, as a professional, I give the best of me to convince him.
I have played only one match with the first team since my arrival. Afterwards, I have taken part in several matches with the reserves, but given what I can produce on the field, I should quickly find the top team.
Given my current performances, I think everything should be in order for me.
I am a fighter. If I’m at Celtic, it’s because I have a talent, so it’s up to me to fight to win my place.
The change of manager was probably always likely to have an impact on the players who arrived in January more than anyone.
The rest of the squad have had years to forge a relationship that persevered in the wake of Rodgers’ departure but for players like Bayo, Jeremy Toljan, Timo Weah and Oliver Burke the transition would have been more difficult.
Bayo certainly has talent, his 18 goals in 24 appearances in the Slovakian top-flight this season prove that, and hopefully we see him in proper first-team action sooner rather than later.
It’d be fantastic to have another quality striking option beyond Odsonne Edouard.