The Hoops are currently top of the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko
Erik Sviatchenko has explained the impact that Kolo Toure’s arrival at Celtic has had on him by suggesting the veteran is a calming influence, The Scottish Sun reports.
The former Arsenal and Manchester City man was brought in by Brendan Rodgers in the summer as the Northern Irishman attempted to add experience to a relatively young defensive unit.
Celtic’s Kolo Toure in action with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi
And having made an unbeaten start in the Scottish Premiership this season, it appears that the decision to sign Toure has been vindicated already. And Sviatchenko has been full of praise for the impact the 35-year-old has made.
“As for Kolo, I’ve learned his physicality is not that of a 35-year-old. It’s more like the 24 years old that I am,” he said, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
Toure with Mikael Lustig and Sviatchenko
“But in these sorts of games he’s important. He gives that calmness and it’s good to have him beside me.”
While the Hoops’ defence is certainly strong enough to ensure that they put themselves in contention to win the league crown once again, it is likely that Rodgers was especially keen to sign Toure for the amount of European experience he would bring, as well as the advice he could pass on to the likes of Sviatchenko and Jozo Simunovic.
And if he can help the pair take their games to somewhere near the level he played at during his peak, it seems likely that the Hoops will have a solid defence for several years to come.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
