Kolo Toure talks about how his Celtics teammate convinced him to retire in the middle of the season

When Kolo Toure arrived at Celtic in 2016 it used to be well-acknowledged that he used to be coming towards the end of his career.

The Ivorian signed for the Bhoys from Liverpool at the age of 35 as Brendan Rodgers looked to bolster his new backline with an experienced professional he depended on implicitly.

He was at first a starter in Rodgers’ team, taking part in European qualifiers, a resounding 5-1 derby win over Rangers and a 3-3 draw away to former club Manchester City.

However, his contribution lessened as the season went on. He found himself on the bench earlier than subsequently retiring at the cease of the Invincibles marketing campaign and transitioning into a coaching role.

Toure has now revealed that this decreased role was once due to his very own realisation he was once no longer capable to compete in the way he’d like and that he was about to hold up his boots.

Selfless Kolo Toure opens up on retirement moment

The embellished defender says that the coaching performances of Dedyck Boyata made him apprehend that he had to step apart for the properly of the Belgian and Celtic.

Toure advised the High Performance podcast: “There was a game. We had a wreck after December and we got here back. I had a conversation with Brendan and he asked if I would be in a position to play that game.

“We had a young player, Dedryck Boyata – he was once doing very well at education that week before we started the 2nd 1/2 of the season. I concept I had to make certain I didn’t play that recreation or I’d make the team lose. I wasn’t at my full potential.

“I said to the boss play that young player. As a human, you have to know your limitations. I realised at that moment, let this boy play. He’s doing very nicely in training, just give him this chance.

“Going again to Martin Keown – he supported me when I got here to Arsenal. He by no means stopped me developing myself and I was once wondering I don’t desire to stop this younger boy from developing.”

Kolo Toure’s Celtic spell used to be quick however sweet

Toure solely ended up playing 17 instances for Celtic but he made pretty an affect on supporters and squad mates.

He was a very famous character and that helped him end up an influential member of Rodgers’ coaching staff.

There’s obviously a lasting mutual perception between Toure and the Bhoys, with the defender additionally not shy about sharing his admiration for the present day manager.

Hopefully, he will stop up back in a distinguished coaching or administration position soon, so we can see where the next phase of his profession takes him.