He has yet to appear in a winning Celtic side but already Diego Laxalt has made a big impression at his new club.
A left-sided defender was badly needed before the transfer window closed, signing one from Uruguay brings a certain status- they have a reputation for enjoying getting stuck in and a bit more.
And that was exactly what Diego did last night- in almost every area of the park. From the earliest stages the on-loan AC Milan defender was charging into any challenge that he could find.
? | FUN FACT
Diego Laxalt has just become the first player since at least the start of 2015/16 to record 13 tackles in a single Europa League match – no other player recorded more than 11. ?
Remarkable defensive performance by the Celtic’s left-back! ??#UEL pic.twitter.com/doD0edO29D
— SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) October 29, 2020
13 tackles. 77 touches. 88.5% pass accuracy.
Celtic loanee Diego Laxalt was on a tear in Lille! ?
His best game yet for Neil Lennon’s side?#UEL pic.twitter.com/2QHQZpHYQi
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 30, 2020
For a Uruguayan defender schooled in Serie A there did seem to be a lack of discipline in his positioning as he popped up all over the park.
Whenever Celtic broke in the second half he seemed to be two steps behind Moi Elyounoussi providing a left-wing decoy, late in the match he could be found out on the right clearing up an over hit corner.
The big defensive tests have still to be answered but there’s no doubt that Laxalt is giving it 100% and more after taking the road north from the San Siro.