Given the impact COVID-19 is having on football I was thinking that one thing that won’t happen this summer is a Celtic spending spree. As the saying goes with adversity comes opportunity and for some of the youngsters in the reserves and the academy this could prove to be a pivotal moment in their Celtic careers.
So with that in mind I thought now would be a good chance to take a look through the reserves and the academy and for the next few weeks take a look at some of the up and comers.
Given the uncertainty over the goalkeeping position that seems as sensible a place to start this column as any. First up we are going to take a look at Conor Hazard, Conor has been on Celtics books since 2014, hailing from Downpatrick, Northern Ireland and having just turned 22 on 5 March. I’m sure Conor will be hoping that this is his year to make a first team impact. At a colossal 6ft 6inches Conor definitely has the presence to command the number one jersey.
Since signing as a professional he has had four different loan spells with Patrick Thistle, Falkirk and he is currently in his second stint with Dundee having had his loan deal extended back in January until the end of the season.
He has flourished during this spell racking up four consecutive clean sheets, granted if you dig a bit deeper he has had few attempts at goal to deal with. That said the key positive I take from that is he must have a high level of concentration. This point is exemplified in the recent fixture against Ayr when he saved a second half penalty securing a crucial point in Dundee’s quest to secure a payoff place.
With the speculation in full flow about financing a deal for Fraser Forster and Craig Gordon’s contract up in the summer it does seem like this could be the moment when opportunity knocks for Conor Hazard.
Click on this link to see a wonderful save from Conor during Celtic’s winter training camp in Dubai.
Paul Carroll
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR…
Support Celtic Youth Development
Help raise money for Celtic Youth Development by joining the £1 weekly lottery and you could win up to £25,000 – just click on any one of the photographs below to join. Lots of our readers have already done so and they’re now doing their bit to help fund Celtic Youth Development that can deliver the stars of tomorrow and beyond. And you might even win a few bob too! And a special thank you to all The Celtic Star readers who have already signed up and are now supporting youth development to give us the Celtic Stars of the future…
Take The Celtic Star’s Photo Tour of Celtic Park and enjoy our stunning photos from inside Paradise RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.