Ever since the 7-0 loss to Barcelona in mid-September Kolo Toure's role for Celtic has mainly involved him sitting on the bench. The last time the 35-year-old played for Celtic was the thrilling 4-3 win against Motherwell last month. That game was probably a bit more exciting than manager Brendan Rodgers would have wished.
Despite his lack of involvement on the pitch, Rodgers feels there is a chance that Toure may remain at Celtic beyond this season.
That role may not be a playing one but instead as a coach. Rodgers was at Liverpool when Toure began his coaching education and the Celtic manager may give the Ivorian his first break in his post-playing career.
Rodgers told the Scottish Daily Mail it is something which he will discuss with Toure between now and the summer.
It’s something that we’ll talk about at some stage between now and the end of the season, there’s no doubt about that.
I brought him to Celtic for a number of reasons and one of them, of course, was playing. I thought to bring him in would help us get through to the Champions League. That mentality, and the experience of what it takes to get there, was going to be important.
There are other reasons why I brought him here, like that influence in the changing room. And that doesn’t have to end after this season.
He’s a good guy and I like to help good people. I want to work with him and it’ s something him and I will talk about between now and the end of the season.
The influence which Rodgers speaks about includes the example which Toure sets at Celtic. Last month, Rodgers told of how he interrupted Celtic's U20s team having lunch to show them the type of professional attitude which has earned Toure such a lengthy career. Despite his training obligations being over for the day, Toure was still in the gym doing extra stretching and mobility work.
Rodgers also detailed the influence which Toure has had on Moussa Dembele.
But Kolo came in and, straight away, he’s a man with big experiences who is a good communicator. He’s good with the young players, he has empathy for them and he wants to help them. He always helps the manager.
Even though he hasn’t played so much, his influence in the changing room is huge because of what he passes on to Moussa Dembele and these guys who are just starting out on their careers, especially the foreign boys.
The Dembeles of this world now look at a guy, at 35 years of age, who has been a big player and has won big titles, has played at World Cups.
He’s a real major influence for them.
His role at the club hasn’t diminished, even if he’s not playing as much. He’s still very important to us.
