Despite it being the midfielder’s birthday today, some Celtic fans have seemed to forget about the fact that Eboue Kouassi still plays for the club.
Despite the Hoops playing what was a second-fiddle side on Thursday, there was no space in the line-up for Kouassi. The likes of Mikey Johnston, Scott Sinclair and Leight Griffiths did play. Young debutant Scott Robertson also made a start and played 90 minutes, while Karamoko Dembele came on to become the youngster Celtic player in European competition.
Celtic fans: Should Kouassi have started against Cluj?
Absolutely!
He needs to go
Some Celtic fans were surprised to see that Kouassi not involved. And on his birthday, they’ve reacted as if they don’t really recognise him anymore.
Best player we never had
— Receding Hairline and Jeremy Corbyn CSC (@Taylor59150834) December 13, 2019
Good to see he’s still alive. What about shved??
— Paul Tansey (@Paul_Tansey) December 13, 2019
Announce 5 year deal or we riot
— Scott Copeland (@tokens67) December 13, 2019
Who?
— ESSEXBHOY0582 (@essexbhoy0582) December 13, 2019
Who
— David martin (@DavieMartin82) December 13, 2019
Definitely a player in there…
— Sandboy (@Sandboy73848884) December 13, 2019
Kouassi turns 23 today and has now been at the club for three years and will complete three years in January 2020.
This season, the Ivorian is yet to feature for the club in any competition whatsoever. But the midfielder’s last appearance for the club came in October 2018 against Hibernian last season. Since then, he has been out due to an ACL injury. However, he recovered from the injury at the beginning of the season.
Last season, the player appeared in five games in all competitions. But he couldn’t score or assist even once. In the 2017-18 campaign, he had played 12 times in all competitions for the Hoops and had one assist to his name.
He had joined the club from Russian side Krasnodar in the winter of 2017 for an undisclosed fee. His time at the club hasn’t been as smooth sailing as it was expected to be.
What do we think?
Kouassi did play for the club’s Reserves team recently and that’s a reflection of the fact that he’s coming back to fitness. Once fit, he will add depth to the club’s midfield and will be the sole defensive midfielder Neil Lennon has. He needs time.