One of the main transfer rumours that has surfaced so far this month is the rather underwhelming link with Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi… 
Jocelin Ta Bi in action for Hapoel Petak Tikva Photo: LES ULTRAS IVORIENS
There are a few reasons why this signing wouldn’t go down well with Celtic fans, including who we are signing him from, as I stated in my last article. In this second part I’ll be looking at it from a purely footballing perspective.
The Tisdale Factor
The rumour around our interest in Ta Bi first started while messrs Nancy and Tisdale were both still in situ. Straight away the warning lights here should be flashing. If Celtic were bringing this player in as a player adaptable to Nancy’s system then the plug should be pulled on it now the Frenchman has thankfully been relieved of his duties.
Chris McKay and Paul Tisdale, Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Similarly if this was a player fancied by the self titled ‘Football Doctor’ then again the whole idea should be binned. Paul Tisdale should never have been near our club. How could anyone believe he has an eye for a player after the absolute mess he’s made of transfer dealing during his time at Celtic?
His fingerprints are all over this one. A cheap option whose record shows he would do absolutely nothing to strengthen our squad. A player who most likely would be more suited to a team playing in the English League One or League Two. That’s the level Paul Tisdale knows and unfortunately for us he seemed to believe that’s the level Celtic should be operating at.
A closer look at Jocelin Ta Bi
Jocelin Ta Bi ye transfer teklifi gitmiş ancak oyuncuya Celtic’in de ilgisi var. pic.twitter.com/UaBsVgf0zG
— 433 Trabzonspor (@433Trabzon) December 30, 2025
Let’s have a look at Jocelin Ta Bi, although to be honest there isn’t much information to actually work with. He’s been on loan at Israeli side H. Petah Tikva who are currently mid table in the league.
Over a period of 40 games he has scored seven goals and assisted five. He has also dropped out of the team a few times due to injury. According to trusted website TransferMarkt he’s currently worth around £375k. Why on earth are we looking to pay £2.5m for this player and offer him a four and a half year contract? The mind truly boggles. How many times do we need our fingers burnt by these types of signings?
Ta Bi is a right winger and that’s certainly an area we could be doing with improving. In our last match against theRangers, Yang played in that position and was easily our best player on the day. Is this player and upgrade on Yang? Absolutely not.
Yang was close to moving to Birmingham for around £3m
In the summer Yang was close to moving to Birmingham for around £3m. Are you trying to tell me we would be better off selling a player who, although inconsistent, has proved that he can be a highly effective winger on his day, one that gives his all for the cause, for this absolute unknown plucked from total obscurity?
I know which one I would rather have in my squad.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha signing sums up Tisdale’s ineptitude
Jocelin Ta Bi looks like a poor man’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and that’s saying something. Balikwisha’s career stats are much better than Ta Bi’s, whilst having played a similar position.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Hearts v Celtic, 26 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
His average goals and assists are much better than the Ivorians. He also operated at a vastly superior level having developed himself playing in Belgium, a much better league than the Israeli one Ta Bi has worked in.
Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic is seen during the Premier League match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
We all know how Balikwisha has worked out so far at Celtic. He’s the current pin up boy for Paul Tisdale’s ineptitude. You could also add Sebastian Tounekti as another star winger Tisdale thought he had unearthed who has proved nothing more than a sand dancer with no end product.
Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill speaks at a mainstream conference on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at Lennoxtown after returning to the club following the sacking of Wifred Nancy. Photo Andy Buchanan Shutterstock
Now is not the time for Celtic to be wasting time on these types of projects. The success rate of these projects has been very low in recent years and the involvement of Tisdale should be the end of the matter. Martin O’Neill doesn’t need these types of players to rescue this season.
He needs players with a proven track record who can come in and perform right away. There are right wingers currently playing in Scotland better than Ta Bi, and would probably come cheaper. At least we would know what we are getting.
Hopefully news will come out soon that our interest in this player has ended. It would be best for all involved.
Conall McGinty
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