Eboue, Kouassi

Personal

Fullname: Jules Christ Kouassi Eboue
aka: Kouassi Eboue
Born: 13 Dec 1997
Birthplace: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Signed: 13 Jan 2017 (from FC Krasnodar)
Left: 25 May 2020 (to Genk)
Position: Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 4-1 St Mirren, Scottish Cup, 5 Mar 2017
Squad No.: 88
Internationals: ? [which international team played for]
International Caps: ? [complete at end of career]
International Goals: ? [complete at end of career]

Biog

When 19-year-old Kouassi Eboue arrived at Celtic, there were some high expectations that Rodgers had brought him in as a long-term replacement for Scott Brown, and so was to bed him in to take on the reins. Spouting quotes that on the field that he was a lion, warmed him to the support who like a character.

Some even forecast he could be another Wanyama who had graduated from Celtic to success with the club in Europe and then went on to be an expensive signing to the English leagues.

However, despite the big entrance as a key player he was to be little played in the first team. He was a bit part player in the major successes during the domestic Treble seasons, with just 22 appearances over 3.5 seasons, with little to write home about (if anything).

He had a health scare early in his time at Celtic, when he was treated for possible malaria at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. It is not entirely known how he got the virus but he thankfully recovered.

He debuted for Celtic in a comfortable 4-1 victory over St Mirren in the Scottish Cup in March 2017 and then had a short run of games, but as Celtic were on a high it was difficult to stand out and be able to push anyone out the side. He was to wait till next season before the odd appearance (which was to include the 7-1 defeat by Paris St Germain away in the Champions League). He was given a run in early 2018, but the question now was what need there was for him? He had even failed to score a goal.

He did have some speed and showed some skill but he was clearly not cut out to be a sitting midfielder, and may be more suited to playing as a number 8, a box to box midfielder. However, the club had a glut of midfielders and Eboue had to prove himself. There was already little room for everyone already on the books.

Eboue performed very well in certain games, notably against Zenit at home in the UEFA Cup (Feb 2018) which Celtic won 1-0 but then spoiled it with a poor performance away against the same side (admittedly not the only culprit). Eboue had to take these chances to prove himself, but he was struggling. He was showing a lack of value or confidence. Really in his games v domestic opposition he had to take the matches by the scruff of the neck if he was to show he was the player he had come in to be, but he wasn’t.

Injuries didn’t help, including needing to undergo ankle surgery following what was initially a knee injury in a match v Kilmarnock at home in August 2017. Without this interruption, then at this key junction of his time at Celtic, things could have panned out far better for him.

He was to be cut out from the first team into season 2018-19, and in Aug 2018, it was already reported that he was told that he could move on. Ironically it had come a week or two after he had won a place back in the first team but again to be quickly dropped.

A poor performance v Hearts in August 2018 in a 1-0 defeat in the league, seemed to end any hopes by the support that he was an answer to any of Celtic’s squad requirements going forward.

One of the more humorous moments involving Kouassi Eboue happened in a league cup semi final v Hearts in October 2018, where in the usual jockeying for position at a set piece, Hearts’ Steven MacLean decided to take action and grabbed Eboue’s genitals. Eboue then theatrically went down & rolled about the ground, and it was just comical (not that we’re condoning the original action). The incident was then reviewed post-match by officials for disciplinary action. Daft creepy move from MacLean which didn’t help his side, but Eboue was soon after substituted off, and then Celtic stormed the second half 3-0 which undermined the need for Eboue in the team.

He had fallen so far behind that he was easily forgotten when the squad was discussed in general by the support. The early expectations for his career had now been seen to be far too optimistic, and he had in no way proven that he was capable of taking over from Scott Brown in his midfield role or anyone else even.

Celtic were actually going through quite a golden period during his time. The back-to-back trebles were historic, but importantly there was a glut of midfielders at the club with youngsters (such as Christie) stepping up to make their mark and so further pushing out underperformers. It just didn’t give players like Eboue the opportunities to reboot their careers, although even when things were taking a downturn, there were no calls to bring in Eboue.

In fairness, he had periods out injured but that didn’t cover the whole time he was at the club. You could see that when on the field he was trying, and injuries did curtail his time on the field, on occasion limiting his playing time. He was fighting for a place but possibly it was all too late. Some even wondered why he wasn’t being loaned out or maybe no one would take him on.

Some used him as another example of the growing number or failing transfers that Brendan Rodgers’ had brought in. There were successes amongst those brought in but criticisms of many too, with Eboue being a key example in the latter camp.

It clearly just wasn’t going to be for Eboue at Celtic. With respect to him, he never complained to the press or on social media, and you could see his frustration when he was pulled off the pitch due to injury or otherwise. There wasn’t much if any angst against him, and most seemed to warm to him as a character at least.

He couldn’t even get a game for Ivory Coast’s national side, which likely was another key target for himself. He had to still win a cap for their national side. He had been called up to their squad (prior to Celtic) but didn’t win a cap.

It was just all not working out for Eboue. He was with Celtic in a golden period, as Celtic completed domestic trebles with some great football and European adventures, yet he was mostly out the picture. He’d been sidelined for so long that he had become forgotten by most of the support.

With Neil Lennon now in as manager, he opted to loan Eboue out to Belgian side KRC Genk in January 2020 on a loan deal until the end of season, but then the COVID-19 events happened and all football was suspended. To the surprise of all, Eboue was taken on permanently by Genk in May 2020 to end his time at Celtic. Curiously, he was leaving to play for Genk and won gametime there, whilst at this same time Sevco had brought in on loan a youngster (Haji) from Genk who was being touted by Sevco & their media sycophants as the next big thing yet could not even get a game for Genk’s First Team.

We wish Eboue all the best, he was still very young, just 22 years of age on his departure, so still much time to reboot his career.

Post-Celtic

[…]

Quotes

“On the pitch, I am a lion.”
Kouassi Eboue (Jan 2017)

“If I play more then you will see the lion, I will fight for the team, do anything for the team. I will go to war for the team and win for the team. I just want to play.”
Kouassi Eboue

“I want to say to the fans that I’m here, I’ve come to Celtic and I will give my best to be in the history of Celtic.”
Kouassi Eboue (Jan 2017)

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

• 2017-18, 2018-19
  

Pictures

• Player Pics

KDS

• Signing Thread (2017)
• Second thread

Belgian side KRC Genk have confirmed the permanent signing of Ivorian Eboue Kouassi from Scottish champions Celtic. The 22-year-old joined Genk on loan in January with an option to buy having failed to make an impact at Parkhead following a £2.8m move from Russian side FC Krasnodar in 2017.Kouassi managed just 22 appearances in all competitions across four seasons with Celtic, failing to score a goal under first Brendan Rodgers and later Neil Lennon.The 3-0 Scottish League Cup semi-final win over Hearts in October 2018 was Kouassi’s last appearance for the club, a game in which he also suffered a serious knee injury.However, despite only making four appearances due to injury and the coronavirus outbreak, Kouassi has done enough to sign a permanent deal with Genk until 2024.