Why July is a big month for Conor Hazard and his Celtic career

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When it comes to July, it’s arguable that nobody has a bigger month ahead than Conor Hazard as he looks to make the most of his Celtic career.

Hazard ended last season as third-choice behind Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain. It looked inevitable that he was going to be leaving the club in the near future given his lack of opportunities.

The Northern Ireland international did in fact bag seven appearances and four clean sheets last term [Transfermarkt]. He would prove to be the hero in the 2019/20 Scottish Cup final after saving two penalty kicks in a shootout vs Hearts.

However, a failure to dominate his area saw Celtic concede regularly from cross-balls that Hazard often misjudged. He was taken out of the firing line and didn’t get another opportunity.

Interestingly, he did sign a new contract before the 2020/21 campaign was over. His new deal takes him to the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Conor Hazard won’t settle for bench-warming his entire Celtic career

Hazard will likely be with the squad in Wales over the next couple of weeks. He needs to try and use that, combined with the final couple of weeks of pre-season, to make an impression on Ange Postecoglou.

It’s a fresh start for everyone. But if the new boss thinks Bain and Barkas should continue to be ahead of Hazard, that’s not something the player is likely to accept.

Speaking back in September 2020, Hazard told the Belfast Telegraph that he needed to be playing week-in, week-out. It’s difficult to disagree considering the shot-stopper is now 23. If he doesn’t impress Postecoglou this month, then the new man will have found his new number one by then.

What that would inevitably mean for Hazard is that he’s back on the bench. Something he clearly isn’t keen on doing if he’s to reach his international ambitions with Northern Ireland.

Dundee are said to be keen on taking Hazard on loan this summer [Daily Record]. Considering they’re now in the Premiership, that’s likely going to be an attractive offer for the youngster. Especially when you consider he’s been a fan-favourite there in the post and would give him weekly experience at the top level.

That’s a decision he’ll need to make should he fail to prove himself as Postecoglou’s number one. It feels doubtful he’ll succeed in that task at the moment, but anything can happen.

Hazard, however, doesn’t seem like the kind of player who’s willing to settle for less. Firstly, let’s see how pre-season treats him and his Parkhead prospects.

In other news, Celtic fans’ 53-day wait is about to be over.