Final twist in Bolingoli transfer saga as he leaves Celtic

There’s one final twist in the Bolo Bolingoli Celtic exit saga as he is leaving indeed but not to AS Roma as had been widely reported in recent weeks.

Following Boli Bolingoli’s unauthorised trip to Spain a few weeks back and him not adhering to strict rules, he’s not been a popular figure at Celtic of late.

Neil Lennon explained recently that Bolingoli has been through the club’s internal disciplinary procedure and severely reprimanded with the maximum sanction applied. It’s not clear what that sanction is, but we do know he was suspended for 5 matches by the SFA and faced Police action and a fine for breaking the isolation guidelines.

The news from Lennon that the wayward left back was due to return to training soon wasn’t that welcome. And who knows what sort of a welcome he’d have had from the other players at his first session.

It had been widely reported that AS Roma were interested in him but those links have led to nothing. Celtic have managed to secure a move away for Bolingoli though.

What is very welcome is seeing Turkish club Istanbul Basakehir announce that Bolingoli has joined them on a year long loan with an option to buy. And even better is to see Celtic confirm the news shortly afterwards with a very gracious ‘good wishes’ end to the message.

Pictures of a happy and probably much relieved player with the club’s orange kit to the fore suggest that it’s all sorted as a deal. Maybe their kit will bring fond memories of easy jet for him!

Some Istanbul fans seem happy with the deal.

Well, maybe they’re missing a bit of the back story there, but if they are happy that’s fine. For Celtic fans let’s hope that the option to buy gets exercised. That now leaves a question mark, but also an opening at left back. We’ll also have to hope that with Bolingoli gone we see one of the players we have been pursuing followed up and brought in quickly.