Celtic hope ‘authoritative’ Kolo can inspire Hoops young guns

Kolo Toure: Moves to Celtic on one-year deal

Kolo Toure: Moves to Celtic on one-year deal

Celtic’s assistant manager Chris Davies believes veteran defender Kolo Toure will prove to be an “inspirational figure” at Parkhead.

The former Liverpool centre-back, 35, signed a one-year deal at Parkhead on Sunday but is not in the travelling party for a trip to Kazakhstan, ahead of the first leg of a third-round qualifier against Astana.

“I am really pleased,” said Davies, who was second-in-command to Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool. “Obviously we worked with Kolo at Liverpool, he brings two things: he’s a top defender who is good with the ball and he also brings a real authority and experience.

“He is an inspirational figure so we are not only getting a really good player but someone who can inspire players around them to help the team and younger players.

“He has been working with a personal trainer so it is an important week physically for him and we will see how it goes.”

Of Astana, he said: “It is going to be a tough game, they are a physical team who have quality.”