Celtic youngster Lee O’Connor is now only one game away from winning his first-ever senior trophy.
O’Connor has been spending the campaign on loan at League One side Tranmere. He’s been quietly making some progress during that period too as his work has generally gone unnoticed amongst the Hoops support.
The right-back has managed an impressive 24 outings this season [Transfermarkt]. Despite a previous loan stint with Partick Thistle, this is the first campaign in which the defender has been given consistent, first-team football.
And he’s now closing in on securing a first senior trophy to go along with it. That’s because his Tranmere side managed to overcome Oxford United 2-0 on Tuesday night in the Papa John’s EFL Trophy semi-final.
That result has set up a glorious Hampden date for O’Connor against Sunderland. A win there and the Ireland international will be tasting senior cup success – something he’ll want plenty more of as a Celtic player.
Experience of winning essential for any Celtic player; O’Connor clearly thriving
The game between Tranmere and Sunderland will take place on March 14th at 3pm. It’s a massive occasion and by far the Celtic youngster’s biggest game of the campaign. Winning is a habit. The experience of winning trophies is a great string to have in any Celtic player’s bow.
It looks highly likely that O’Connor will be selected too. Even if he hasn’t started any of their last 10 league matches, he featured for 90 minutes on Tuesday night. That also followed a man-of-the-match performance against Peterborough United in the previous round.
O’Connor has featured both as a right-back and in the defensive midfield positions for Tranmere this term. It remains to be seen how he’ll be utilised on his big Wembley date.
But regardless, he has to look at this as the opportunity that it is. With Jonjoe Kenny set to go back to Everton at the end of the season, Celtic don’t have an experienced right-back in their squad for next season. Well, outside of Anthony Ralston maybe.
An impressive end to the season capped off with a Wembley win and promotion to League One would be a fine report card to head back up to Lennoxtown with for Lee.
Hopefully, he gets the full 90 again next month and manages to secure the EFL Cup. It’s exactly the kind of positive impression he wants to be making as he continues to try and win a place at Parkhead after signing in 2019.
In other news, a new Celtic fan group has released their first video on Twitter.
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