Celtic’s loanees: how did they fare over the weekend?

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For Celtic players, in-club development isn’t always the best route.

Sometimes, you’ve signed but it hasn’t worked out. And you may find yourself living out in Belgium. Or, you’re an academy graduate, but you need time in Dundee to make the grade.

That, or you’ve cost Celtic by playing 3 minutes of a game after an illegal trip to Spain (Independent). Then it’s Istanbul for you, my friend.

Let’s have a look at Celtic’s loanees and see how they got on over the weekend.

Jack Hendry, KV Oostende

I don’t know about you, but I get the Eastenders theme in my head whenever I read the name of Jack Hendry’s latest club.

He’s continually impressed on loan in the Belgian top-flight and the weekend was no exception. As part of a 5-man defence Hendry’s Oostende saw off Cercle Brugge (Eurosport).

A single goal for KV was all that was needed for an impressive away win. Hendry got himself a 7.2 rating on WhoScored?, making exactly one tackle and keeping a clean sheet.

It’s a result that leaves Oostende 9th in the Jupiler League (Transfermarkt). While there has been talk of the nomadic defender returning to Parkhead, it seems more likely that Young Jack’s European Adventure is more likely to yield a permanent move to a league like the Jupiler going forward.

Lee O’Connor, Tranmere Rovers

Oh, Lee.

The Irish Cafu could do little as his Wirral-based outfit received an absolute shellacking from Exeter City (BBC). Former Motherwell man Ryan Bowman got his second consecutive hat-trick (Devon Live) for the Grecians, but O’Connor was ineffectual this time out.

Earning a dismal 5.3 rating from WhoScored?, O’Connor has had and will have better days in a Tranmere Rovers shirt. At 20, any experience is good experience for the Irish youngster.

Still, though. Ouch.

Vakoun Issouf Bayo, Toulouse

Another sad one for Celtic fans, here.

While Toulouse handily dealt with Châteauroux 3-0 (Soccerway), goalscorer Bayo continued his spell out of the team. In fact, he didn’t get off the bench for this one.

Goals from Spierings, Healey and Antiste did the trick for Les Violets against Châteauroux (or ‘Red Castle’, if you prefer), who are now in the bottom three of Ligue 2 (ESPN).

Bayo continues to struggle in France, and it doesn’t look like Toulouse will be in any hurry to pick up their permanent option on the Ivorian striker.

You wonder what could’ve became of the striker if his two goals had been counted against Hearts last season (BBC).

Round-up

Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo did not feature as İstanbul Başakşehir suffered a surprise loss to Gaziantep (ESPN).

In a game which finished 2-1 in favour of the visitors, Bolingoli didn’t make it off the bench.

Jonathan Afolabi is still injured, meaning he didn’t make the bench for Dundee’s entertaining 2-2 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle (The Courier). A late Jordan McGhee equaliser saw the Dark Blues share the spoils in the Highlands.

On Sunday, Maryan Shved was again left out for KV Mechelen. His loan side lost 3-2 at home Waasland Beveren on Sunday (WhoScored?).