National manager drops hint about Celtic’s possible future plans for Bosun Lawal

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The future of many of Celtic’s players looks uncertain as the summer transfer window nears.

We’ve discussed previously how the club plans to offload at least eight fringe men this summer and we’ve also told how Jim Duffy whittled that number down to four certainties who are destined to leave Celtic soon.

One of the players on the list of eight, Bosun Lawal, is currently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland right now.

Lawal was invited by Ireland boss, John O’Shea, to join the senior team training after impressing whilst on loan at Fleetwood Town last season.

But it was Lawal’s u21 manager, Jim Crawford, who dropped the strongest hint yet about what Celtic may have planned for the youngster’s future at the club.

‘Exceptional’ Lawal will interest Brendan Rodgers

Lawal displayed his versatility last season at Fleetwood after being used across the whole back row of the now League Two’s defence and in the centre of midfield.

And Crawford has shared a conversation with Celtic’s Professional Player Pathway Manager, Darren O’Dea, that could shine a light on what the club has planned for the 20-year-old utility player.

Crawford said [Irish Daily Star print edition page 49], “He can pass a ball, be aggressive in there and, as he’s shown with Fleetwood on numerous occasions, he can score goals too.

“Where we’ve been playing him — centre-back — up until now, he’s been exceptional and I’ve had conversations with Darren O’Dea at Celtic and we share similar views on him, what he contributes to a team playing centre-back, with the game in front of him, he’s exceptional.

“I’m excited at the prospect of him playing in midfield.”

“Bosun is John’s [O’Shea] type of player. It’s going to be a really interesting season for him when he goes back to Celtic.

“I’m sure Brendan Rodgers will be interested in the boy’s qualities, so I do think that coming to this June camp will help him be ahead of the curve in fitness when he goes back to pre-season.”

From what I have read about and the limited time I’ve seen Lawal on the pitch and Fleetwood Town’s fan’s reaction when he left their club, I think the youngster has a bright future at the club.

He is big and strong and has plenty of time to develop his skills, Lawal is Rodgers’ ideal player and I think the Celtic boss will relish the chance to hone his skills.

Is he ready for first-team action next season? I don’t see any reason not to at least have him involved in and around the squad.

Learning from Cameron Carter-Vickers would only stand him in good stead so it will be interesting to see how he progresses this summer.