Chris Sutton impressed by Celtic striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo

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Vakoun Issouf Bayo has been a fringe player for Celtic since he joined in January, but Chris Sutton has offered a positive verdict on him and believes he has potential.

The Ivory Coast striker joined the Bhoys at the beginning of 2019 from Slovakian outfit Dunajska Streda, where he was a prolific goalscorer.

But it’s not quite happened for him yet in Scotland and he’s had to be patient with his chances.

The 22-year-old played just one senior game last season across all competitions for Celtic and is not a main option in Neil Lennon’s squad.

Bayo has featured seven times so far this campaign across all competitions and earned just his second start in midweek against Patrick Thistle.

The centre-forward scored a great header in a 5-0 victory during the Scottish League Cup quarter-final tie.

It was his shinning moment in a Celtic shirt so far and Sutton feels there could be more to come from him.

“I think Bayo’s a development player and a work in progress. He has some really good raw attributes. I think he’s powerful, and he is good in the air,” Sutton told the Scottish Sun.

“I was pleased to see him get game time against Partick Thistle, because there’s no doubt Celtic have a problem if [Odsonne] Edouard gets injured, and Neil Lennon needs to rely on another striker.

“Who’s second in the pecking order? It’s Bayo now. I know he’s had a few injury worries himself since he joined Celtic. But you can definitely see his potential.”

TBR’s View:

It’s been a difficult time for Bayo at Celtic spending most of it frozen out on the sidelines, but he reminded everyone in midweek of his qualities and he could perhaps have a role to play this campaign.

Lennon is going to have to make rotations during a hectic fixture list and can’t always rely on elite striker Edouard to lead the line.

Bayo is a promising youngster that looks a real threat in the air and he should take major confidence moving forward.