Celtic F.C. has secured the latest addition to its midfield, with the Ivorian-born winger, Jocelin Ta Bi, set to join the team in January. Ta Bi, who has recently been on loan at Hapoel Petah Tikva, has described the move to the Glasgow-based side as a “dream come true”. As Celtic F.C. waits for the transfer window to officially open, team representatives have reported that the transfer has become a matter of when, not if. The incoming transfer of Ta Bi is just one of many changes happening at the club, with many team updates taking place on the coaching side as well.
Ta Bi’s arrival at Celtic will be well-received following a season where he managed to capture the attention of many European clubs. Together with Ta Bi’s arrival, Martin O’Neil is also making a return to the club in a managerial position. These changes are expected to renew the team’s chances of ascending from their current third-place position to the number one spot on the log. When compounded with the team's emphasis on recruitment and achieving a well-balanced team, Ta Bi’s arrival at the club will greatly improve the club’s chances of winning the premiership title, with the best betting apps for UK players listing odds as high as 7/5.
For Ta Bi, the opportunity to play for the historic Celtic F.C. offers him a level of exposure that few clubs outside can match. Playing for Celtic F.C. exposes Ta Bi to the broader European market, while also providing him with the opportunity to test himself with some of the best players in the world, something which he has openly spoken about wanting to do. While he expresses deep gratitude for the time he spent playing in Israel, he also states that the decision to move to Glasgow is motivated by his desire to progress and become a better player all around.
The 21-year-old brings a direct playing style to the club, complementing the attacking line-up with his pace and confidence. Celtic F.C. scouts see his signing as an investment, stating that he is a player with a lot of potential and room for growth in the future. The 2-million-pound price tag they paid reaffirms this confidence. Returning manager Martin O’Neil shares the scout’s sentiment, stating that Ta Bi’s speed and attacking style can bring a different element to matches where space is tight.
Ta Bi’s signing also falls in line with Celtic’s broader strategy of bringing in fresh, younger talent that they can develop in-house. O’Neil has laid out his plan to strengthen the team by signing new, young players. Recently, the club signed Julian Araujo on loan from Bournemouth, with the hopes that the approach of signing new players can move the team forward to a championship win. Celtic has been through a period of uncertainty with interim managers in recent times, and O’Neil’s new run is an interim one as well. He hopes that during the time he has with the club he can make enough of an impact to take the team to victory. With the focus firmly on signing new players, both the team and the fans welcome Ta Bi’s arrival.