BRENDAN RODGERS was sold on Celtic new Bhoy Kouassi Eboue in just 10 seconds.

And the Hoops boss has confessed the 19-year-old midfielder had the same wow factor on him as his former Anfield aces Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling.

The Ivory Coast starlet is already here in Dubai and is poised to join up with his team-mates on the training pitch upon completion of a work permit back in Scotland.

Eboue has been on Rodgers’ radar for some time now during a stint in Russia with Krasnodar, and the Northern Irishman admitted there was an instant attraction in bringing the teenager to Parkhead.

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He said: “We've been aware of him.

“He is one of those young players I look at with the same feeling I had as when I saw a young Coutinho or a young Sterling.

“This boy has that. Within 10 seconds you see his talent.

“He is one, obviously, the scouting team have been aware of.

“Most coaches see something in a player that suits their way of working.

“But there are certain attributes in a young player you can see and you get a good feeling.”

Eboue has been tipped by the man set to become his new manager to have what it takes to make a massive impact in Scotland.

More importantly, however, he has been backed to do what it takes to succeed in the Champions League as Celtic aim to establish themselves on that stage again next season.

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“We are waiting for it to come through, but he’s certainly a player that is that level of player: a Champions League mentality,” said Rodgers.

“He’s very aggressive, he covers the ground, he’s got mobility, speed, big intensity, big pressure, reads the game, for a young player he’s tactically very strong, he protects the middle of the pitch as I like it to be protected. And what he can do is he can pass the ball.

“He’s very swift going through the lines, going through people, and he plays it quickly. And he’s hungry. He’s super hungry.

“I saw him in Europa League games and he was ready. He’s a bit talent and this is a great chance for him – if he arrives on board and everything is good – to flourish.”

He added: “We only bring them because they have talent. I'll not stockpile players at Celtic.

“I won't bring in players just to add to the squad unless I think hey are a big talent like that.

“I feel Moussa [Dembele] would really come and develop and he has done that, though he still has a lot more development to go.

“I really want players who have that - the hunger and ability to progress.

“We'll see Eboue come in and then see how it goes.”

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Earlier in the day Rodgers was presented with the Ladbrokes Premiership manager of the month award on the back of his side going unbeaten through December while also beating Rangers to go 19 points clear at the top.

The Northern Irishman was in good spirits as he waited for confirmation of Eboue’s deal to be done, and he also hinted he may not be the only arrival over the coming days.

Rodgers added: “We have a few targets I want to see if we can get in. If we don’t get anyone in January then there is no drama.

“But we’d like to think we could get a few in to enhance the team going forward.”