IF there’s one thing you can say about Brendan Rodgers is that he knows a good player when he sees one.

Go through the list of footballers the Celtic manager has helped nurture over the years and you are littered with top class professionals and household names. Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard, Phillipe Coutinho, Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair, Rickie Lambert. Well, maybe not the bold Rickie, but you get my drift.

Given the array of ability that has passed through his dressing rooms over the years, one can be suitably content at the prospect of the next player that is ready to fall under his charge in the form of Kouassi Eboue, even if it took just a matter of seconds for Rodgers to be sold on his talents. Ten, to be exact.

Read more: Africa is untapped market of talent says Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

That's all that was needed in a Europa League encounter for the Northern Irishman to be convinced there was something about the 19-year-old, who has already had a call up to the Ivory Coast first team, that could come in handy around London Road.

As with many things in life first impressions count, and Rodgers explained yesterday from the team hotel in Dubai how his latest acquisition’s wow factor reminded him of some of the starlets previously under his stewardship.

“We've been aware of him,” said the Celtic manager. “But he is one of those young players I look at with the same feeling I had as when I saw a young Coutinho or a young Sterling.

“This boy has that. Within 10 seconds you see his talent. He is one, obviously, the scouting team have been aware of.'

“Most coaches see something in a player that suits their way of working. But there are certain attributes in a young player you can see and you get a good feeling.”

The Ivorian midfielder is out here in Dubai waiting for word that a work permit has been granted back in Scotia that will allow him to take the next step on his journey from Africa to Glasgow… via Armenia and Russia.

It is an unusual path that will bring the teenager to the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders but one that has allowed him to demonstrate his potential to the watching Rodgers. Already this season he played in all six of Krasnodar’s Europa League Group I fixtures on the way to a second-placed finish.

Read more: Africa is untapped market of talent says Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

The Celtic manager is encouraged by the European pedigree already demonstrated by Eboue at such a young age in the hope it can blossom into Champions League class.

“Of course we’re waiting for it to be done, waiting for it to come through,” he said. “But he’s certainly a player that is that level of player: a Champions League mentality.

“He’s very aggressive, he covers the ground, he’s got mobility, speed, big intensity, big pressure, reads the game, for a young player he’s tactically very strong, he protects the middle of the pitch as I like it to be protected. And what he can do is he can pass the ball. He’s very swift going through the lines, going through people, and he plays it quickly. And he’s hungry. He’s super hungry.

“I saw him in Europa League games and he was ready. He’s a bit talent and this is a great chance for him – if he arrives on board and everything is good – to flourish.”

Aye, but never mind jaunts to the Nou Camp or the Etihad, can he do it on a cold Tuesday night in Dingwall?

“With Eboue there is talent, but can you match up the other things as well? 'I don't think adaptation to the country is going to be a problem,” said Rodgers.

“He has left Russia when it is minus 25 to go to Scotland where it's minus 15....

“Hopefully, all being well, that can be finalised and he will be a real good addition to our team.”

Fair enough.

Read more: Africa is untapped market of talent says Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

Eboue is seen as a more defensive-minded player rather than a rampaging attacker when, rather than if, he comes to Celtic. He has already been tipped to become the new Victor Wanyama, and emulate the Kenyan’s influence in Glasgow before going on to allegedly bigger and better things down south.

It is a comparison that Rodgers was reluctant to entertain too much, but did say: “You never know.

“It's unfair to label him based on what type he is. He is what he is.

“I think you see pretty quickly how he covers the ground, the speed in the tackle, the aggression, the intensity to sit, block and fight. He has that talent to pass the ball, which is very important. So from there we see the talent.

“He is making his own way.”

We have already mentioned the likes of Suarez and Gerrard as big players to star under Rodgers, yet the real excitement in Eboue’s imminent arrival is surely founded in the track record the Celtic manager has shown since he took over in Glasgow during the summer.

Sinclair has looked a player reborn now that he is back with his old mentor once again, while the acquisition of Dembele and the subsequent coaching have been nothing short of miraculous.

With such recent success comes anticipation of what impact the next fresh face can bring. It is an excitement and pressure Rodgers is content to carry.

“That's okay,” he said. “We only bring them because they have talent. I'll not stockpile players at Celtic.

“I won't bring in players just to add to the squad unless I think hey are a big talent like that.

“I feel Moussa would really come and develop and he has done that, though he still has a lot more development to go. I really want players who have that - the hunger and ability to progress.

“We'll see Eboue come in and then see how it goes.”