Celtic fans got a first real look at Luca Connell today with 45 minutes enough to convince many that the hoops have a serious talent on their hands.
The midfielder was signed from Bolton last summer but due to the strength that Neil Lennon has in that area of the park he remained in the shadows, popping up here and there in development matches.
Connell never got any game time during Celtic’s three matches in France but at half-time today he got the call to replace Kerr McInroy and grasped it with both hands.
Celtic switched to three at the back with Connell put into the centre of the side alongside Olivier Ntcham and Ismaila Soro. Straight away his range of passing was obvious, across the pitch and also pitching forward inviting balls to feed Patryk Klimala.
Now however is the really tricky part for the Irish youth internationalist- what next?
With the best will in the world he’s highly unlikely to force his way past Scott Brown and Callum McGregor into the first team- a situation that Ntcham, Soro and Nir Bitton are familiar with.
Getting out on loan would be the obvious option but that move can be fraught with problems, finding the right club and manager to give him the platform to develop is far from straight forward.
There is a talent there, after a year in cold storage his progress this season will be closely watched.
Don’t need Turnbull, Luca Connell is a pler
— – (@CammyLockdown) July 27, 2020
Yeah mate. Always played with his head up.A decent 45 from him.
— Harters (@Harters8) July 27, 2020
Good days work , hope lenny plays the young boy luca connell the scouse pirlo the boy was brilliant passing tackling and all round awareness , we,ve got ourselves a good yin in young luca .??
— Dannylogan (@Dannylo89011163) July 27, 2020
Connell looks very composed on the ball and has a wand for a left foot. Reckon he has a chance to make it to the first team.
Soro the same always looking to go forward, very accurate passing and a great reader of the game which led to numerous interceptions.— KennyN_1 (@bhoy_1) July 27, 2020
Connel looks a pler, polish paddy is determined as fuck, wee soro enjoys the dirty side of the game, griff looked sharp. Good performance. Connel the standout for me. Very forward thinking and no scared of a tackle either. Dare I say Broonys replacement….
— ?? (@__HT67) July 27, 2020
Looked really good when we went 352. Connell is brilliant at playing quick accurate passes into the striker. Could be a big season. Dembele was excellent but needs protection. A normal game could have seen a couple red cards today
— 9 in a row champions (@thatsworldclass) July 27, 2020
Why haven’t we seen Luca Connell playing before now. An assured performance. Excellent player who could save the club a fortune. ?? Sorro excellent too.
— ColWhe (@col_whe) July 27, 2020