Advertisement
Eoghan O'Connell tracking Lionel Messi during Celtic's Champions League encounter with Barcelona at the Camp Nou in September. EMPICS Sport

Irish defender Eoghan O'Connell to leave Celtic on loan

Despite a promising start under Brendan Rogers, O’Connell hasn’t seen much first-team action recently.

EOGHAN O’CONNELL IS set to make another loan move away from Celtic in an attempt to secure regular first-team football.

According to the Scottish Herald, the versatile defender will join Kilmarnock — which will be his third temporary switch since he moved to Scotland from his native Cork at the age of 16.

O’Connell, who has represented the Republic of Ireland up as far as U21 level, was heavily involved for Celtic during the early stages of Brendan Rodgers’ reign.

The 21-year-old played in Champions League games against Astana, Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Barcelona, but he has since slipped down the defensive pecking order at Parkhead.

“He did very well in pre-season but the team has changed and he is not getting so much game time,” Rodgers said of O’Connell in November. “So if he can get out on loan that will give him the game time he needs to develop.”

O’Connell, who played his underage football on Leeside with Corinthians and Avondale United, has previously left Celtic on loan for Oldham Athletic and Cork City.

O’Connell’s Celtic contract runs until the end of the season. Kilmarnock currently sit third from bottom in the Scottish Premiership.

Jordan Henderson set to return for Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United

Mourinho insists United won’t sign a defender despite Fonte and Lindelof links

Author
Paul Dollery
View 4 comments
Close
4 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.