CELTIC signing target Vakoun Issouf Bayo has been urged to snub the Parkhead club and join Rapid Vienna instead by one of his club’s own coaches.
The Scottish champions have had a £1.8 million bid for the Ivorian striker rejected by his Slovakian club Dunajska Streda.
But the 6ft tall 21-year-old, who has scored 18 goals in 23 games this season, is also interesting Rangers’ Europa League conquerors Rapid.
And Bayo has been advised to join Vienna by Dunajska goalkeeping coach Jan Novota, who also made over 100 appearances Austrian club.
He said: “I think Bayo would be a great fit for Rapid and this club would be the right move for him.
“The Austrian league is obviously stronger than the Slovakian one and I think it would be the perfect match for him.
“He is a real talent, make no mistake. He is physically strong and fast and he’s certainly not at the end of his development.
“I have got to know him quite well. He has a very good character.
“He’s not quite the finished product - sometimes he rushes a chance when he approaches the keeper and he’s better in the air than he is on the ground.
“I don’t think he is quite ready to move to a top, top league in Europe.”
Meanwhile, Damien Duff, the former Republic of Ireland winger who has been linked with a move to Celtic as a youth coach, has left his role with Shamrock Rovers.
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