With his central defensive options only slightly increasing with the arrival of Kolo Toure Brendan Rodgers could be ready to give Eoghan O’Connell his big match break in Astana on Wednesday.
Neil Lennon handed the bhoy from Cork his top team debut in April 2014 but the Ronny Deila tenure didn’t offer much encouragement.
Jason Denayer came in on loan from Manchester City while Dedryck Boyata, Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviachenko were recruited as O’Connell was punted out on loan, out of sight and out of mind to Oldham Athletic and Cork City.
A year ago Kieran Tierney’s prospects looked bleak as Tyler Blackett was drafted in from Manchester City to provide back up to Emilio Izaguirre- by the end of last season the Celtic door was closing on both players.
So far Brendan Rodgers has shown a willingness to play a 3-5-2 system which may just suit O’Connell down to a tee.
Opportunities are rare in football but over the two legs against Astana the young defender could emerge in the same way as Tierney is the undisputed first call at left back.
Speaking after scoring against Leicester O’Connell said: “I wouldn’t have played against Leicester if the manager didn’t trust me.
“He has shown faith in me in the pre-season games. I have played parts in every game. It is great for me to have that trust and, hopefully, I can build on that.
“I think I’m ready. I have been involved in the first team now for the last three and a half or four seasons. I think if the opportunity comes on Wednesday I will be ready to go.
“You don’t get into the qualifying rounds of the Champions League unless you’re a good team and we have to be very switched on and be ready to go so that we can bring a result home for the second leg.”
Rodgers has still to decide whether to register Toure for the two legs of the Astana tie with the former Liverpool defender missing the first leg to work on his match fitness.
