‘That’s what I want to do now, push for the first team at Celtic,’ Ireland’s Debut Bhoy

YOUNG Hoops Star Lee O’Connor made his full international debut for Ireland last night against New Zealand, remarkably before he’s even made his debut for Celtic. Niall J watched the match and gave us a report on how Lee got on last night on The Celtic Star.

Ireland is of course managed by former Celtic Star Mick McCarthy and he’d have been delighted with O’Connor’s outstanding contribution to the 3-1 victory, which including setting up the decisive third goal that sealed the win.

The right back signed for Celtic from Manchester Utd on deadline day at the start of September, at the same time as Jeremie Frimpong arrived from from Manchester City. And it is beginning to look like some extremely shrewd transfer business from Neil Lennon who Peter Lawwell stated when he gave him the job earlier in the summer, had the best eye for a player he’d seen.

“My whole family came up and my friends,” said the teenage Celtic Star who is a Waterford native.

“It was a great moment for me and for them. It’s something you work for your whole life. To get it at 19 years of age is a dream come true… it doesn’t get much better.

“I felt fine. At the start you have a couple of butterflies but once the whistle blows you just have to get on with it.

“Everyone was very welcoming,” he told the Irish Media as reported by RTE. “They just said, ‘do what got you here’, that I’m here for a reason, to play my normal game… to just play football.

“Of course there’s a big step-up, but I think I done well. I’m happy with my performance. Hopefully it’s the first of many.

“The assist was a great moment for me. Robbie’s left footed. It kind of played into my hands, I could go around the outside. I thought we worked well together.

“That’s what I want to do now, push for the first team at Celtic. Hopefully I can.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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