Celtic fans got their first look at Leo Hjelde- and were immediately impressed by his contribution in the 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
The 17-year-old earned impressive reviews on loan at Ross County in the second half of the season, joining a relegation dogfight and helping the Dingwall side to safety.
With a desperate need for defenders reflected in their reported transfer activity Hjelde played for the final 30 minutes of today’s friendly and barely put a foot wrong.
Strong and assured in everything that he did the Norwegian kid belied his age as he cruised through Ange Postecoglou’s first match in charge of Celtic.
With Chris Jullien left behind in Glasgow, Kris Ajer angling for a move and Nir Bitton absent from today’s friendly there might just be an opening for Hjelde to exploit.
Postecoglou can’t have been anything other than impressed, on Saturday Celtic take on Charlton with Hjelde looking capable of a starting place as the countdown gets underway towards Celtic’s Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland on July 20.
Albian Ajeti, Owen Moffat and Odsonne Edouard were Celtic’s scorers after Josh Windass opened the scoring in the third minute.
So glad Leo Hjelde got a run out! He was impressive at County last year! Decent on the ball decent defending and attacking seems comfortable at LB or LCB. Brilliant attitude too.
— angie campbell (@angie647) July 7, 2021
Shaw looked strong and hjelde!
Again players who want away need to be out the door asap!!— Davidc.cfc? (@David94764368) July 7, 2021
Some good stuff over the 90, Hjelde looks a player?
We have a ridiculous amount of good players coming through, glad we’ve got the colts team to give them competitive experience ? https://t.co/Q0U8r1uTql
— Jordan Miller (@JordanM495) July 7, 2021
I hope there’s some urgency regarding Leo Hjelde’s contract situation.
He is going to be the real deal, the question is whether it will be at Celtic or not…
— Ryan McGinlay (@TheRyanMcGinlay) July 7, 2021
Only seen the last half hour but from the snippet big Hjelde can force his way in this season, pler
— Conor McCann (@McCann1967) July 7, 2021
Thought Leo Hjelde looked good given he’s only 17. Remember here’s a lad we loaned out last season and he got regular game time at another club in the Scottish Premiership. He must be worth a game or two this coming season?
— ???? ???????? ?? (@philbertosilva) July 7, 2021
Shaw gives us something different in midfield. Big lad, looks solid. Dane Murray was impressive in flashes, another big lad. Hjelde looks the part too, also a unit. Moffat looks useful, took his goal well, full of running. Luca Connell needs to be part of the core group.
— Flynn ?? (@eightsixonesix) July 7, 2021
I like Hjelde, big & strong and good on the ball. Shaw was good too
— Broni’s bhoy (@Stephen24669) July 7, 2021
Hjelde = pler
— StuporousFunker (@TamRogic1) July 7, 2021