Celtic loan trio set for promotion playoff showdown; how to watch

By Lewis Laird

May 9, 2022

Young Celtic trio Luca Connell, Brody Paterson and Jonathan Afolabi will be involved in the Championship play-off finals this week.

With the season drawing to a close in all leagues across Scotland, teams continue to battle it out for promotion through the play-offs.

That includes League One, where Airdrieonians get set to face Queens Park to determine which side will spend next season in the Scottish Championship.

Celtic currently have involvement at both sides, with three players on loan and set to play their part in the two-legged final across the next seven days.

Midfielder Luca Connell is currently spending his second spell with the Spiders and returned from injury to the side, which relegated Dunfermline on Saturday with a 1-0 victory.

The duo of Brody Paterson and Jonathan Afolabi were also both involved in an incredible comeback last week, which saw Airdrie come from 4-1 down at one point in the tie to defeat Montrose 6-5 on aggregate.

Afolabi had a significant role to play in the Diamonds’ comeback on Saturday, scoring one and assisting three goals in the game, which went to extra-time.

All three players have previous experience with one another, not only in the Celtic youth team but on separate loan spells and international duty.

Both Connell and Afolabi were part of the same Ireland u21 side, whilst Paterson also spent time with the Irish midfielder on loan at Queens Park last season.

However, those alliances will be put to one side this week as they play it out for a place in the second tier next season.

Fans will be able to watch the Hoops youngsters in action, with the two ties taking place this Thursday (7:30 KO) and Sunday (1:10 KO), both live on BBC Alba.

In other news, Dundee Utd boss sounds like he could prioritise Ross County “cup final” over Celtic.