Osaze Urhoghide is nearing a move away from Celtic with a loan move to Belgian side Oostende. The 21-year-old arrived last summer from Sheffield Wednesday but has not been able to gain first-team experience, hence manager Ange Postecoglou was keen to sanction a short-term move this month.
As reported by The Scotsman, the Dutchman is on his way to Belgium to seal the switch after Celtic rejected opportunities to sell the player this month.
Time away from the club could be worth its weight in gold for the player, especially as he was so highly-rated arriving from The Owls. The player only made 21 senior appearances (before coming from Sheffield Wednesday) so he was always to be regarded as one for the future as opposed to an ‘oven ready’ player for Celtic. Jack Hendry left the club for Oostende in a loan deal and was able to resurrect his career.
Since arriving, Urhoghide has been limited in terms of game time but he did impress in the win over Real Betis in the Europa League, playing at right-back. He was strong in the tackle, comfortable enough of the ball and showed pace to defend as well as attack. This performance will have proven to Postecoglou that the youngster has a future but with Tony Ralston vying for minutes with Croatian Internationalist Josip Juranovic, it is unlikely that Urhoghide would get the time he needs to develop at Celtic Park.
Brentford’s Kris Ajer is an example of a player that has benefited from being loaned out before returning and making an impact on the first team. Ajer spent time with Kilmarnock training as a central defender before returning to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic and becoming a mainstay.
