Celtic player’s agent blames Neil Lennon for lack of play

One of the agents for a Celtic player just put the player in an awkward situation after recent comments regarding Neil Lennon.

Celtic has had its fair share of dealing with player agents over the last few months, especially with transfer rumours flying around at a head spinning rate. The most recent is when centreback Kristoffer Ajer’s agent made it known that the player was not returning.

Well, that agent was ultimately fired and the player is still with the club. Now, there is another blunder on an agent’s behalf as striker Vakoun Bayo’s agent has made some fairly damning comments as of late. For some background, Bayo was sent out on a season-long loan to French-side Toulouse.

Bayo did not have a spot in the squad especially with the addition of Albian Ajeti so a loan was secured to France. Bayo had not been one of Lennon’s first choices at striker and that apparently has upset the striker, or at the very least his agent. The agent has since spoken out as if he has forgotten that Bayo has to eventually return to the club.

According to the Daily Record, here is what Bayo’s agent Mohamed Sissoko had to say regarding his client’s playing time and how it relates to Lennon:

"“The change of manager at Celtic made it complicated for him because it wasn’t the current manager who signed him. That’s the only reason he didn’t play. But everyone else at Celtic was unanimous in praising his qualities.“He has scored goals in Ivory Coast and in Slovakia and he was signed by Brendan Rodgers, but unfortunately he left a short time later. Therefore, his playing time was reduced to nothing.“He knows how to score goals. He is a proper No.9 and can play in a partnership or on his own. If Toulouse use him properly, he will do very well.”"

Those are some pretty pointed words coming from an agent of a player who has to return to Celtic after the season and will be looking for additional playing time in the coming seasons. This is especially true if superstar Odsonne Edouard leaves the club in the coming months.

However, it is understandable as Lennon has not rated players in the same fashion as Rodgers had during his stint with the club. That is to be expected though as a change of manager usually comes with some changes in philosophy. It is up to the player to make those impressions.