Exclusive: Hutton suggests Lennon doubts 2019 Celtic signing can cope with Parkhead demands
Alan Hutton has suggested that Celtic manager Neil Lennon has doubts over Vakoun Issouf Bayo’s ability to cope with the demands at Parkhead.
The former Aston Villa and Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says that the Hoops boss’ hunt for a new striker suggests he cannot trust the 22-year-old to fill the boots of Odsonne Edouard.
Lennon confirmed that talks were ongoing not only with Slovan Bratislava for striker Andraz Sporar but for a “number of options” to bolster his attack.
With the likes of Bayo and Leigh Griffiths already at the club as backup for first-choice hitman Edouard, Hutton says it appears as though the Northern Irish boss does not have faith in the Ivorian to cope with the demands at Parkhead.
“He has been out for a while, he’s picked some injuries and things like that which obviously doesn’t help,” Hutton told Football Insider.
“Obviously Neil Lennon sees it as an area that needs strengthening so it tells you all you need to know.
“Maybe he doesn’t quite think that the people he’s got there can handle it if Edouard’s not fit.”
Bayo, who signed for the club during the January transfer window of 2019, has struggled for regular game time since his move to Parkhead, playing just 13 times across all competitions and starting twice.
His only goal in green and white came in the 5-0 League Cup win over Partick Thistle back in September, Lennon handing him the full 90 minutes at Parkhead.
In other Celtic news, Hutton says that he’d be worried if he was one particular big-name star at Parkhead.