Lee O’Connor wants to follow up his first international cap by breaking into the Celtic first team.
The 19-year-old started last night’s friendly against New Zealand after impressive displays for the Ireland youth and u-21 sides, fitting in with ease to Mick McCarthy’s side.
A suspension for Seamus Coleman and the need to rest Matt Docherty opened the door for O’Connell to step up to the full side while he was serving a suspension after being sent off for the u-21 side.
At club level he faces a daunting task with Hatem Abd Elhamed, Moritz Bauer and Jeremie Frimpong already competing for the right-back slot.
O’Connor left Manchester United for Celtic on deadline day and is hoping that one breakthrough can lead to another.
Interviewed by RTE about his international debut he said:
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.
Ireland beat New Zealand 3-1 in last night’s friendly with O’Connor supplying a precision cross for Callum Robinson to head in the third goal.
O’Connor will now re-join the u-21 squad to face Sweden on Tuesday while McCarthy’s side look ahead to Monday’s home match with Denmark needing a win to book a place at next summer’s European Championship Finals.