COMPETITION for places is part and parcel of life at Celtic, and every Celtic player has to work hard in order to merit a place in the starting XI. That requires patience, along with hard work, consistency and ensuring positive results.

This template has paved the way for players like Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard to cement their places in the team. Both had to bide their time and work hard behind the scenes, and Bayo is using the same template of success for his battle.

The Ivorian striker joined Celtic in January and has endured periods out through injury during that time. He is seeing progress now and is confident he will continue in an upward trajectory in the coming weeks and months.

“Odsonne is the number one striker and I know I have to work very hard if I want to play as the first striker,” Bayo told this week’s Celtic View. “That will take time, just like it did with Odsonne. He also had to be patient to get his opportunities when he first arrived at Celtic.

“I know my time will come because I can see the progress I’ve made and that gives me great hope and confidence that I can do well for the team.

“It’s not going to be just handed to me. I need to work hard every day in training to show the manager that I can make a difference in the team and score goals. The competition drives us all and I am enjoying the challenge here because it is a great club.”

Injury, coupled with competition for places in the team, meant Bayo made only one appearance in the second half of last season. So far this season he has made nine appearances across all competitions. That playing-time has accumulated to over 260 minutes compared to the two minutes he had against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in February last season.

It’s that context which Bayo is using to measure his progress. The 22-year-old has ambitions to go far and be a first-team regular, but he is aware how big a club Celtic is and the standards he has to hit before that is possible.

“I’m happy because I’m getting more minutes now,” said Bayo. “That wasn’t happening last season and earlier this season. I was injured for a while so that meant I couldn’t play. I’m really happy with the minutes I’m getting because I’m playing football which is what I love.

“I feel like I’ve made progress in training as well. The measurement for that is the amount of time I’ve had on the pitch. Before, I wasn’t playing at all and now the manager is giving me opportunities.

“I know how important it is to perform in training because that’s what will give me more time on the pitch in games.”

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Bayo: I'm ready to play my part whenever I'm called upon