Walsall boss Jon Whitney was delighted to sign up Eoghan O’Connell on loan from Celtic.
The 21-year-old was strongly linked with a loan deal to Kilmarnock but has travelled to the Midlands.
Walsall are currently sitting in 14th place in League One, nine points short of a play-off place and nine clear of the fourth relegation place.
O’Connell had a brief stint in that division at Oldham last season with Whitney pleased to have secured the defender.
“Eoghan is a target we’ve been tracking for a few weeks now and we’ve been trying to get the deal done,” he told the club website.
“He’s highly sought after and we’ve had to fight off some competition from clubs in England and the Scottish Premier League. He wants to test himself south of the border so we’re delighted to get this one over the line.
“He’s an aggressive defender but he’s also very good on the ball. Technically he’s a player who’s playing beyond his years and he’s very well thought of at Celtic.
“He’s played in the Champions League and Brendan [Rodgers] spoke highly of him so he’ll be a really good addition to the group and from our profiling and referencing he seems to have a very good character as well which is important.
“It’s an area we felt needed strengthening because it’s clear that we’re short of bodies at the back. The lads have done well back there but we felt we needed to get another one in going into the second half of the season.
“Its up to him now to show us what he’s about and force his way into the team.”
O’Connell made his Celtic debut in April 2014 under Neil Lennon but struggled to progress when Ronny Deila took over.
After injury interrupted loan spells at Oldham and Cork City last season he was pitched into the Celtic side that drew 1-1 away to Astana in the Champions League third qualifying round.
The signing of Kolo Toure and return from injury of Jozo Simunovic have restricted his first team opportunities.
O’Connell’s last Celtic appearance was as a substitute in the 7-0 Champions League defeat from Barcelona.
