Celtic’s forgotten man Vakoiun Issouf Bayo continued his surging form with neatly taken finish for Toulouse in the Ligue 2 promotion-chasers impressive win over Chambly.
The Ivorian forward cost a reported £2 million when he was plucked from Dunajská Streda in Slovakia over two years ago, but has been restricted to just 13 domestic appearances.
The 24-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Crow’, scored twice last season in cup wins over Partick Thistle and Clyde respectively, but was loaned to the French side after The Hoops secured the signing of Albian Ajeti from West Ham.
Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths were also judged to be ahead of the forward in the Parkhead pecking order, but while the Frenchman has found a run of form recently with rumours surrounding a summer move, his strike partners have somewhat struggled.
Swiss forward Ajeti and Scotland international Griffiths have managed just six goals apiece across all competitions this campaign - the same as Bayo has in his last 12 games.
The striker scored in recent wins over Amiens and Ajaccio to help Toulouse to third in the French second tier and netted the first as they upset Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in the Coupe de France last month.
He was at it again on Saturday with his parent club preparing for an Old Firm clash at rivals Rangers next weekend.
The striker coolly opened his body to direct a Deiver Machado cross beyond the visiting keeper to cap a 4-0 thrashing of the strugglers, edging Patrice Garande’s side to within two points of league leaders Troyes.
Bayo is expected to return to a much-changed Celtic Park in the summer, with manager Neil Lennon gone and the club expected to go through a summer reboot after dismally losing their grip on Scottish football’s trophies.
It remains to be seen whether he will play any part in the overhaul after netting his eighth of the season, though he is contracted at the club until 2023.
