Sunday 24 July 2016 22:47, UK
Kolo Toure should complete his move to Celtic on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.
The 35-year-old centre-half, capped over 100 times by Ivory Coast, worked under Rodgers during his time at Anfield and was released by Liverpool this summer.
Toure arrived in Glasgow on Saturday for a medical and will become the new manager's second signing, although Rodgers does not anticipate having the defender available for Wednesday's Champions League qualifier at Astana.
"I would think Wednesday would be too soon," Rodgers said. "We will probably look towards the weekend, give him game-time against Barcelona [on Saturday] and assess where he is at.
"I brought him into Liverpool to add that bit of experience, and you saw from his impact there, he was a very important player. He played in the Europa League final, and he was outstanding in the big games when I was there.
"He looks after himself, a wonderful professional. He has big experience, and he can really help the young players in the squad."
Toure told Sky Sports News HQ: "It's a great football club. I'm ready for a new challenge and looking forward to it.
"The Champions League is a great competition. For sure it's very important to qualify. We will give everything we've got."
Rodgers was in the market for defensive cover with Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata injured, while Efe Ambrose was dropped for the second leg against Lincoln Red Imps.
Toure joined Arsenal in 2002, becoming part of the 'Invincibles' side that went unbeaten as they claimed the Premier League title in 2004.
He joined Manchester City in 2009, winning the title under Roberto Mancini in 2012, before his move to Merseyside the following year.
Celtic are working on other deals, according to Rodgers, who has not given up hope of bringing in another player before Wednesday.
"Hopefully we can get some business done," he said. "It's going to be tight. We need to wait and see, there's work going on behind the scenes."
