NEW Celtic signing Ismaila Soro last night revealed he has modelled himself on French dynamo N’Golo Kante - and promised Parkhead supporters he will “take no prisoners”.
Soro, the 21-year-old Ivorian who has agreed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Scottish champions, watches videos of Kante before every match.
The £2m signing then attempts to replicate the Chelsea midfielder’s phenomenal work rate when he takes to the field.
“I wouldn’t say the fans should expect the same level of player – but they will see the same type of player as Kante,” he said.
“To me, he is the model. He’s a player who never lets go, he has that never say die attitude I love.
“I watch every single match he plays. It’s part of my routine. I watch all the videos and clips – everything about him.
“Kante’s aggression, the way he plays, watching how he moves around the park is how I prepare for my games.”
Soro added: “The manager (Neil Lennon) said I was a little bull. He must have seen some of my games. When I play it’s not for fun. I am not playing games.
“I am aggressive, I give everything and play with all of my heart. I go for it – I don’t take any prisoners.”
Soro admitted it was his ambition to square up to Kante in a match one day and is hopeful Celtic face Chelsea in Europe in future.
“I’ve never met him, but if I ever did I would tell him ‘the way you work, man, this is it!” he said. “If I was ever to play against him? Wow!
“Who knows, maybe it is possible in Europe. That would be a dream come true. If I was up against him, it’s going to be hot!”
Soro believes he will benefit from training and playing alongside Celtic skipper Scott Brown and expects the number of French-speaking players in Lennon's squad to help him settle.
“I am definitely going to learn from him (Brown)," he said. "I am a young player and he is obviously far more experienced than me. You learn from players like him in training and in matches.
“It also gives you a goal, something to aim for, because you have this player who has been there and done it. He is a great player and you want to reach to become as good as them.”
He added: “I’d never met Vakoun before I came here, but it’s been really good to have him here. It’s nice to have someone to chat to and who you have something in common with.
“It makes a big difference. There are a lot of players in the squad who speak French, like Odsonne (Edouard), and it really helps me integrate in to the team."
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