Celtic loanee Connor Hazard has secured league title success in Finland with HJK Helsinki this weekend, following their 1-0 victory over Haka.
Many Celtic fans will remember Hazard for his short spell between the sticks under Neil Lennon in the 2020/21 campaign.
During that spell of games, the young shot-stopped helped the Hoops to their fourth Scottish Cup in a row in a penalty shootout win against Hearts.
However, since that high at Hampden, the academy graduate has failed to kick on, falling down the pecking order working under new boss Ange Postecoglou.
Last January, both parties felt it was best for the goalkeeper to head out on loan, and Hazard took the surprising jump to join Finnish League side HJK Helsinki.
And it has turned out to be a fantastic move for the 24-year-old, instantly becoming the club’s number one and keeping his place as a regular throughout the season.
Whilst with HJK, the Northern Ireland internationalist, has also been provided with the opportunity to play on the European stage.
The Finnish side took part in UEFA Champions League qualifying before facing early elimination. But Hazard and his team were able to secure a place in the Europa League group stages, where they have faced AS Roma, Real Betis and Ludogorets.
Over the past weekend, HJK Helsinki’s focus remained on league action as they took on Haka, knowing they had the opportunity to secure the Finnish League title for the fifth time in six years.
And following on from their 1-0 victory on Sunday evening, that title was all there’s, with one game to spare as celebrations began.
Of course, at a club like Celtic, Hazard will have experienced plenty of trophy success as an outsider in the squad, particularly in the league.
However, you would imagine this league title win will be very special for the Lennoxtown academy graduate, having lifted his first league silverware as a club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Over the next couple of weeks, the 24-year-old and his teammates will still have games to focus on both the domestic and European front.
However, with the league title all wrapped up, I am sure they will be going into those games full of confidence as they look to try and claw back an unlikely place in the European knockout stages.
In other news, Report: Celtic prepare for VAR vote as introduction date edges closer.
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