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Fullname: Mohammed Sylla
aka: Momo Sylla
Date of Birth: Sunday, 13th March 1977,
Birthplace: Bamoro, Bouaké, Cote d'Ivoire (but brought up in Paris, France)
Nationality: 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 pacy 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 the 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 skillful player. Problem is though 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 run match). Meant that at the end that he wasn't as a regular a pick for the first side as he would have wanted.

No surprise when he was punted by many (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, 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 sadly.

Regardless, we hope him all the best.


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.

Playing Career

St. Johnstone:	2000-2001	Played	34	Scored	5	goals	(Scottish Premier)
	2001-2002	Played	1	Scored	0	goals	(Scottish Premier)
Celtic:	2001-2002	Played	8	Scored	1	goal	(Scottish Premier)
	2002-2003	Played	18	Scored	2	goals	(Scottish Premier)
	2003-2004	Played	15	Scored	0	goals	(Scottish Premier)
	2004-2005	Played	6	Scored	0	goals	(Scottish Premier)
Free transfer to Leicester City on 1/6/2005

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