Celtic defender Osaze Urhoghide has said that he would be ‘very happy’ if he were to remain at Oostende next season. The 21-year-old defender joined the Belgian club in a loan deal with the side holding an option to buy on the versatile Dutchman.
Speaking to KVO, Oostende’s in-house media wing, Urhoghide was asked about his plans for next season after being included in the Belgian league’s Team of the Week.
“I will be very happy if I still play at Ostend next season.
“I’m having a great time here, but I also felt great in Celtic! I now have to try to prove myself, so that KV Oostende will certainly consider the purchase option. And then we’ll see what happens.”
Urhoghide admitted after the move to Belgium that he saw his career continuing at Celtic having held conversations with Ange Postecoglou. Although, if Oostende look to action the move, it appears that the player will be happy for the move.
Postecoglou was just in the building when the highly-rated defender arrived 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.
