If a recent report from Africa Foot is believed to be true, Celtic are keeping close eyes on Kalidou Sidibe and have tabled an initial offer of around €2m ahead of a potential summer move. But they are not alone in the hunt; Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, Swiss side Grasshopper Zurich, Premier League outfit Ipswich Town, and even his former employers Toulouse are also keen on the Guingamp ace.
The 26-year-old France-born midfielder spent his academy years with various Paris clubs including Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC. He also featured for the latter’s reserves before plying his trade to Toulouse in the summer of 2017. Sidibe struggled for senior minutes with Les Violets, and therefore, joined Châteauroux and Quevilly-Rouen on loan.
After helping Quevilly Rouen to retain their Ligue 2 status, the Frenchman joined the red and yellows on permanent terms. He was pivotal to their 11th-placed league finish in the 2022-23 season, and his impact both in defence and deep down the midfield earned him a €700k switch to fellow Ligue 2 side Guingamp upon the conclusion of the campaign.
Why Celtic Should Tie Him Down
Sidibe, being the tallest player in the league at 2.02m, eventually secured a ‘number six’ status from last season onwards. He has netted twice and laid on 5 more in 31 appearances so far this term and is contributing week in, and week out in their bid to secure a place in the promotion play-offs. His towering presence has caught the attention of several top teams, and Celtic, despite having the likes of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo in their ranks, are chasing the Costamoricans’ star for obvious reasons.
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Rangers forward Vaclav Cerny is going viral for his outrageous touchline celebration, just moments after Hamza Igamane netted a late winner in Sunday’s dramatic Old Firm derby. It was an afternoon to remember for Barry Ferguson and his Rangers side, just days after they secured their place in the Europa League quarter-final with victory over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. The visitors went two goals ahead at Celtic Park through Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diamonde but after Diazen Maeda pulled one back for Celtic in the opening stages of the second-half, things took a turn. In fact, they levelled the scores with 74 minutes played as Japan international Reo Hatate slotted past Jack Butland with ease. But then, with two minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Hamza Igamane scored his 14th goal of the season as in-form Rangers clinched an unforgettable three points in Glasgow. Moments after Igamane ended a recent goal drought in the dying embers, Czech winger Vaclav Cerny could be seen squirting his water bottle at a section of Celtic supporters in the front row. As you can see from the post below, footage of the incident soon emerged on X, formerly Twitter, as fans reacted to Cerny’s animated celebrations. One said: “Vaclav Cerny sprayed Celtic fans with a water bottle after their goal,” and a second wrote: “Whatever it costs to sign Cerny. We will pay double.” A third wrote: “He’ll be lucky to finish their season now. Since when was this this appropriate from any professional?” A fourth said: “Top level s***housery…..should actively be encouraged in football,” and a fifth added: “Creased every time I see it. Could watch this on repeat all day.” Speaking in his post-match interview, Rangers boss Barry Ferguson was asked about the incident involving Cerny. “No, listen, I was just concentrating on celebrating and making sure we were getting back into our shape,” he told Sky Sports. “I didn’t see the incident if I’m honest.” Vaclav Cerny sprayed Celtic fans with a water bottle after their goal… 😅 After becoming the first Rangers manager since Walter Smith in 1991 to win at Celtic Park on his first attempt, Ferguson was full of praise for his players. “It’s a really good feeling coming to your fiercest rivals and deserving to win the game,” he said. “I just said to the players to go and enjoy the next couple of days because it’s been a long time, I think five years. But I think if you look at the game overall, we deserved it. “I thought in the first half, that was the game plan that we came with. I thought the boys stuck to it perfectly. The second half, you always know Celtic are going to come at you because the crowd is getting frustrated. “I thought Brendan would make a change or two and he certainly did that, and it made a different to the Celtic team. They obviously got back into the game at two each. “But then I take a step back and what I’ve been trying to drum into the boys is there’s more needed at Rangers than being a good player. It’s been labelled by you guys, everybody in the media about character, and that’s one of the things I stressed to them when I come in today.” Cerny has been one of Rangers’ standout performers under Ferguson. Image credit: Getty Ferguson added: “It takes a certain type to be a very good Rangers player. My group of players are certainly starting to show that.” Thoughts on the moment involving Cerny? Let us know in the comments.
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While they have ample depth, quality and cover for the box-to-box and ‘number 8’ spots, the absence of a like-for-like alternative to McGregor cost them against Rangers in the latest Old Firm derby. The veteran Scotsman missed the clash due to an injury concern, and the Hoops were found losing their shape in the middle of the park. They lacked someone capable of controlling the tempo from the base, thus highlighting the necessity of another holding midfielder who could challenge and cover their club captain.
Sidibe lacks enough top-tier experience and it is high time for him to make the next career move away from Ligue 2. Celtic have Champions League football to offer alongside assured domestic silverware, something that should be tempting enough for a summer transfer.
A sports enthusiast who reads, breathes, as well as dreams (mostly) about football and attempts to share his views with the fanatics by jotting down a few words. T
