English football’s loss is Scotland’s gain.
Released by Liverpool at the back end of last season after featuring in 26 matches for the club, Kolo Toure has signed for Scottish champions, Celtic.
The 35-year-old has reunited with Brendan Rodgers – his former manager at Anfield – ahead of his first season in Scotland.
“He’s a wonderful professional,” Rodgers said after Saturday’s friendly with Leicester.
“I brought him into Liverpool to add that bit of experience and help two of the centre-halves there at the time.
“In the big games, he was outstanding for me.”
To many, this is a good signing for the Scottish champions. Having overcome their first leg deficit against Gibraltarian side, Lincoln Red Imps, last week, the defender’s wealth of experience will be a good thing as the club look to reach the group stages of this season’s Champions League.
Having played in England with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool over the last fourteen years, many English football fans used the ageing defender’s move north of the border as an opportunity to mock the Scottish Premier League.
Kolo Toure will be banging in hat tricks in that shit league
— S🇵🇸 (@S__A_97) July 24, 2016
Kolo Toure is bigger than Scottish football.
— The Jerry James Show (@jerryjamesshow) July 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/SimplyRoberto11/status/757224967486537728
Kolo Toure will be the best centre half to play in Scotland for donkeys … Even if he's 53 now
— Alex Williams (@VoodooVoodooRay) July 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/joshbarrettfc/status/756793612957089792
https://twitter.com/DoeyLadd/status/757220827209273344
https://twitter.com/_LiamBromley/status/757218973310193664
Toure isn’t expected to feature in Celtic’s Champions League third qualifying round tie against Kazakhstan’s Astana on Wednesday, with Rodgers suggesting he will feature in the friendly against Barcelona next weekend before making his competitive bow for the club.
“I’m probably more looking towards the weekend for some game time in the friendly against Barcelona and then assess where he is at before the following week.”
Celtic kick off their domestic campaign away at Hearts on August 7.
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