Former Celtic goalkeeper Packie Bonner has delivered a favourable verdict on Conor Hazard’s first appearance for the club between the sticks last night.
Hazard was a surprise inclusion against the high-flying French side, chosen to start ahead of summer signing Vasilis Barkas and long-time number two Scott Bain.
The Northern Ireland international didn’t have much to do but did make one fine stop in the second half and, generally, looked more composed and in control of his defence than the other options this season.
Bonner was impressed, telling BBC Radio Scotland on Thursday night (22:01): “What he does, he fits the profile of what Neil Lennon wants. He’s a big lad.
“The players at the back, they almost had a unit of him at the back and the others trying to defend the box. It looks a lot better than what has been there in the past, even though he hadn’t very much to do.
“He had that one save, which is a big save. If you can pull out the big saves at the big moments when you’re a Celtic goalkeeper, the rest will come.”
Neil Lennon now has a massive decision to make regarding Sunday’s match at home to Kilmarnock.
Does he chalk the Hazard performance down to experimentation in a meaningless fixture and bring the expensive Barkas back into the equation, or does he put faith in the 22-year-old moving forward?
It’s not a question that’s easy to answer.
Hazard’s lack of experience is evident despite loan spells at Dundee, Falkirk and Partick Thistle.
At the same time, Barkas looks to be a bag of nerves at the moment as he settles into life at Celtic Park.
I have a feeling we’d be best placed to start Hazard on Sunday and see if he can look as composed as he did on Thursday.
With the season on the line, Lennon can’t be playing favourites simply based on reputation or cost. He has to trust his instincts.
In other news, here’s what the French media have been saying about Celtic after last night’s encounter.
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