Has there been a player at Celtic who’s international progress has gone under the radar more than Conor Hazard?
The Parkhead youngster, who’s been capped with the Northern Ireland senior side in the past, has been back involved with his nation’s top team once again this month.
And despite having never actually started for the Celtic first-team, he was 90 minutes away from qualifying for Euro 2020 last week. Indeed, Northern Ireland’s agonising 2-1 home loss to Slovakia led to them just missing out on next year’s Euros, which very well could’ve had Hazard involved in.
Of course, he hasn’t played during the current international break. He’s back-up to Bailey Peacock-Farrell and former Celtic hopeful Michael McGovern. However, he’s now well involved in the conversation, and it’s fair to say his progress with his country has been rapid.
Remember, Hazard is still the captain of the under-21 side after making his debut for them back in September 2018. A string of impressive displays throughout has led to intermittent call-ups to the senior squad over the last three years.
Hazard can be Northern Ireland’s future
The Belfast Telegraph reported back in September that Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough is a big fan of the Celtic youngster, and that bodes extremely well for him.
It’s just a shame he couldn’t be part of a squad that qualified for Euro 2020. That would’ve given him an incredible level of motivation for the rest of the season to try and kick on and develop further.
But Hazard has a glorious chance to be Northern Ireland’s future number one. Considering the call-ups he receives when he’s not even getting a game for Celtic, goodness knows what he can achieve when he’s playing regularly.
Of course, the importance of the current season could make a breakthrough at Parkhead impossible. Hazard even explained in the Belfast Telegraph that he wasn’t allowed to depart due to the lack of numbers at the club.
However, with regards to his development, it’s in desperate need of a season-long loan move. Hazard is 22 now and at an age where first-team exposure is essential for him. Considering where he’s at in the international scene, his hunger to experience senior game-time will only increase too.
But he deserves more acknowledgment than he gets for the impact he’s made at international level. Coming so close to Euro 2020 will have been gutwrenching for him. But if he continues developing at his current rate, there’ll undoubtedly be international tournaments in his long-term future.
In other news, Celtic are likely to continue trials that occurred at the club back in February.
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