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Fullname: Mohammed Sylla
aka: Momo Sylla
Born: 13 March 1977,
Birthplace: Bamoro, Bouaké, Cote d'Ivoire (but brought up in Paris, France)
Signed: 2 Aug 2001
Left: 1 June 2005
Position: Midfielder, winger
Debut: Celtic 3-0 St Johnstone, League, 28 July 2001
Internationals: Guinea
International Caps 2
International Goals 0

Biog

Momo was signed by Martin O'Neill from St. Johnstone for a reported fee of £650,000 in the summer of 2001. A pacey player, the manager thought that he could add something different to the team and provide us with a spark (well that's my guess!).

However, his performances on the pitch were rather mixed. In truth he had many fine performances, and scored some good goals. A player in our Run to Seville (UEFA Cup final 2003) he ably competed against some good sides (including Liverpool).

It was remarked that on the training pitch that he was the most skilful player. Problem is that he was inconsistent and never seemed to fit in as a player in the side, and his best games can be said to have been against lesser sides (exc Liverpool UEFA cup match). Meant that at the end that he wasn't as a regular a pick for the first side as much as he would have wanted.

No surprise to many when he was punted (to Leicester City in 2005) but he had actually made a bit of a cult name for himself amongst some fans (for some reason). Maybe it was down to his name, the silly song made for him or just his style. Who knows? If anyone thinks we could have gotten more out of him, then it should be noted that his short spell with Celtic was actually one of his longest with the numerous clubs he spent time with. So as a player, he never seemed to suit any club.

Regardless, we hope him all the best.

Playing Career

Club	From	To	Fee	League		Scottish/FA Cup		League cup		Other
Kilmarnock	12/01/2007	31/05/2007	Free	10 (1)	0	0 (0)	0	1 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Leicester	01/06/2005	12/01/2007	Free	27 (7)	0	0 (0)	0	2 (2)	0	0 (0)	0
Celtic	02/08/2001	01/06/2005	£ 650,000	26 (21)	3	3 (2)	2	3 (3)	1	5 (16)	1
St Johnstone	20/07/2000	02/08/2001	Free	35 (0)	5	2 (0)	0	2 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Le Mans	01/08/1999	20/07/2000		No appearance data available
Ayr	01/08/1997	28/09/1997	Free	0 (3)	0	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Totals			£650,000	98 (32)	8	5 (2)	2	8 (5)	1	5 (16)	1
			goals / game	0.06		0.28		0.07		0.04
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals

Honours with Celtic

UEFA Cup

• 2002-03 runner-up
  

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From Not The View: 'So Farewell Then...'

Momo was signed by Martin O'Neill from St. Johnstone for a reported fee of £650,000 in the summer of 2001. The question is, why?

Not that I'm questioning his ability, you understand. It's just that after nearly four years at Celtic I'm still none the wiser as to what position he was supposed to be playing in or what kind of role was envisaged for him. I simply can't believe that he arrived at Celtic Park satisfied that he was on a decent salary and content to sit on the bench for the duration without ever pushing for a first team place.

At St. Johnstone he appeared to have been given a free hand to inhabit whatever areas of the pitch took his fancy. At Celtic he never really looked comfortable in whatever position he was tried in. To pick out the highlights of his Celtic career isn't difficult, because there aren't very many; he scored a cracking goal against Basel and had a reasonably good game at Anfield in the UEFA Cup tie.

That apart, his shining moments came in midweek League Cup ties against Second Division outfits, or the early rounds of Europe.

Sylla departed for Leicester City in the summer of 2005 but failed to impress and was released on a free transer after just two years at the Foxes.