Conor Hazard is set to end his three-year Northern Ireland cap drought tonight, and his manager Ian Baraclough has explained why.
Hazard has thrust himself into the spotlight this season after a run in goal as Celtic’s top shot-stopper in December. Hazard has managed seven Celtic appearances in total this season, bagging four clean sheets [Transfermarkt]. However, he was dropped after making some mistakes when dealing with cross balls in the Scottish Cup final.
But that hasn’t been enough to stop Baraclough from calling him up and giving him an opportunity. The current Northern Ireland manager was the one who gave him the captain’s armband for the under-21s. It’s fair to say he’s a big fan, and will give Hazard a start against the USA in tonight’s friendly.
Conor’s last and only cap in his career came three years ago back in 2018. A 17-minute outing against Costa Rica in another friendly has been his whack. But Baraclough has outlined why tonight will see Conor take the reins.
Speaking in a clip published by PLZ Soccer, the NI boss said: “He’s at a big club, he’s learning his trade still, and he’s now managed to get some game-time in the first-team at Celtic. He’s played in a couple of real high-profile games – the cup final – which is fantastic for him.
“He’s got to be allowed to make mistakes – he’s a confident goalkeeper and someone who’s imposing with his stature. He just needs to be given a game, the experience in how to deal with certain situations.
“I think (USA friendly) it’s perfect for him.”
Conor Hazard has “to be allowed to make mistakes”; Northern Ireland boss hits the nail on the head
Baraclough hits on a point that we could all learn from. If we’re being honest with ourselves, Hazard received far too much stick for making a few errors in his first few appearances.
So much so that not enough was actually spoken of regarding his shot-stopping. Hazard made some fine saves against the likes of Lille, Hearts, and Hibernian respectively. All whilst playing in front of a defence that’s been ropey from cross-balls all season.
Nobody can honestly say that Scott Bain or Vasilis Barkas have shown anything more than Hazard this season. The truth is Conor is a bigger asset to the club than some may realise. It’s why Celtic handed him a two-year contract at the start of the month.
All eyes will be on how he performs tonight against the USA. If he impresses and banks his first international clean sheet, that would be colossal. It would be a real statement to either John Kennedy or the new manager that he needs to be looked at.
If he doesn’t make the cut next season, a swift loan move elsewhere must be agreed. Hazard is only 21 and that’s easy forget. If he plays his cards right he could have 20 years at the top level. So Celtic have plenty of time to develop this one, and even though there are some rough spots, the early signs have been promising.
Tonight will do him a power of good, and receiving his first cap in three years will be an honour in what’s been a superb month for him.
In other news, a potential Jeremie Frimpong replacement is reportedly available again.
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