Kolo Toure joins Celtic backroom staff

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]vory Coast international Kolo Toure has joined the back room staff of  Celtic FC as a technical assistant.

“I can officially say I am retired from playing and now I am fully concentrating on coaching.”

“This is a new chapter in my career, a new beginning. The football is over now,” Toure told the Celtic website.

Toure, 36, made 17 appearances for Celtic last season before ending his playing career to focus on coaching.

In his new role, the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City defender will be “supporting on all first-team coaching matters” and using his knowledge to assist Celtic’s various youth levels.

After taking up a coaching role with the Ivory Coast national set-up in the summer, Toure is relishing his coaching opportunity in the Scottish Premiership.

“For me, there is no big change in terms of what I will be doing,” he said. “I have always been the kind of player who tries to help those around me.

“Now I will try to give advice, help the young players and just guide them and pass on all the experience I have acquired during my career.”

Toure had gained some coaching experience in the second half of last season at Celtic and is eager for more.

“I can learn so much from working with Brendan Rodgers,” he said. “He is a top manager. I will be working with him and his staff very closely each day.

“He is one of the best young managers in the world right now.