Celtic loanee raves about impact of Ange; has "loved every minute" since boss arrived

By Euan Davidson

January 28, 2022

He may be away from Celtic for the time being, but Conor Hazard has raved about manager Ange Postecoglou.

Hazard, at HJK Helsinki, says that everyone is a fan of Ange’s at Celtic, and that his decision to bring Joe Hart in has been a significant boost.

The Northern Ireland international had an interesting 20-21 campaign. During a goalkeeping crisis, he was drafted in for Barkas and Bain, and performed reasonably well. His penalty shoot-out heroics against Hearts in the delayed 2020 Scottish Cup Final will live long in the memory.

But that’s the past. And Hazard is very much focused on the present, having agreed a one-year loan to Finland’s top club.

Hazard has his eyes firmly fixed on getting back into Celtic contention, and it’s in large part down to Ange Postecoglou’s influence on the club. The goalkeeper said [Daily Record]: “Since the gaffer came in it’s been very, very good and I’ve personally loved every minute.

“He implemented his own style of football which everyone at the club loves. Joe (Hart) has come in as well and he’s been a big character around the club and to work alongside him every day has been an absolute privilege.

“I know that I am still young and have a lot to learn and the only way I am going to be able to do that is by getting regular game time so going out on loan was the best decision for me at this moment in time. Hopefully, I’ll come back next year with more games under my belt and we will see what happens.”

Conor Hazard has the attitude Ange Postecoglou will appreciate; don’t discount his long-term Celtic prospects

This is absolutely the right attitude to have. He needed to be out on loan, and by the sounds of it, that came from a fruitful and honest discussion between himself and Ange Postecoglou.

What’s good to hear though, is yet another loanee singing Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s praises. Players seem to be leaving the club on loan full of confidence, and the knowledge the manager is keeping a close eye on them.

For Hazard, regular game-time is an absolute must. He’s had loans before, but never as long as his HJK Helsinki stint. Being part of a team challenging for silverware, in an entirely new locale, is surely going to be really important and meaningful for the goalkeeper.

The last thing you want, as a young player, is surely a hands-off manager who doesn’t talk to you or justify his decisions in terms of your future. What’s clear then, is that’s not the case at Celtic, with Ange Postecoglou taking a keen interest in developing young players for the future.

The atmosphere around Celtic has been tremendous this season. It’d be easier for the core players to be enjoying the benefits of Ange’s management, given the responsibility and faith he puts on his key men. But it sounds like, instead, everyone at Lennoxtown is thriving.

After last season, that’s a complete 180. Long may it continue.

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