Celtic’s forgotten man: Time is running out for Mubarak Wakaso

But for some, just getting game time is the first target.

Mubarak Wakaso  certainly comes into that category, especially if the man on loan from Rubin Kazan is to convince Ronny Deila they should exercise the option to buy him. He hit the ground running with his performance against Red Bull in Salzburg. But since then, Wakaso has not really pushed on and has played in only 10 games.

Injury has played a part in this. But even when he was fully fit, and Ronny was looking for options to play in the wide areas, he seldom got beyond the bench.

Heading off to the African Cup of Nations for four or five weeks, just as Celtic hit their winning run and added to their squad with the signings of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven, did not help Wakaso’s cause.

But he did show as he helped Ghana reach the final in Equatorial Guinea, that he is a player who has something to offer.

In the African Cup of Nations, he played more centrally. But, just like the wide areas, this is a really competitive department of the Celtic team. With Stefan Johansen and Kris Commons in such good form, can he get the game time he wants?

Wakaso’s confidence will have been boosted. Now it’s down to him to show in training that he is a player Ronny should consider using more often. It is down to him and his attitude, and how much he really wants to make the move to Celtic permanent.

credit: evening times

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