Watch: Celtic loanee Luca Connell scores again for Queen's Park in League One

By David Walton

October 26, 2021

Celtic loanee Luca Connell bagged his second goal of the season for Queen’s Park in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Alloa Athletic.

Connell looked to have won the game for the Spiders after putting his side 3-2 ahead with just 2 minutes remaining. However, a shock brace from Euan Henderson would ensure it was actually Alloa who left Glasgow with the spoils.

Connell secured his first goal of the campaign last month against Peterhead. And whilst he’ll be gutted at the eventual outcome, he’ll be pleased having gotten on the scoresheet and also coming close with a howitzer of a free-kick. You can watch both highlights below:

Connell has yet to make a single competitive appearance for Celtic despite signing for the club back in 2019. Already this term, he’s bagged 4 outings as he looks to reignite his career [Transfermarkt].

The loan spell comes after another successful short stint with the Spiders in League Two last season. Connell played a key role in their promotion to Scottish football’s third tier, and it appears as though he’s enjoying the experience.

Queen’s sit joint-top of League 1 on 20 points – level with both Cove Rangers and Airdrieonians respectively.

Luca Connell enjoying his football away from Celtic Park

It’s clear that Connell is smiling away from Celtic Park. He’ll just be delighted to be playing first-team football after being starved of it in Glasgow over the last few years.

You have to wonder whether Connell would’ve still made the move to Celtic back in 2019 if he knew what he knows now. That he’s still no closer to being a part of Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI than he was when he joined the club under Neil Lennon.

There do have to be serious questions asked as to why his career has taken the trajectory it has. He should never have gone from first-teamer at Bolton to Scottish League 1 regular. Granted, some will say Bolton were forced into playing him regularly given their financial situation, but he was a talent they didn’t want to lose.

Even so, he’s doing what he has to with Queen’s in the short term. There’s an opportunity been handed to him to resurrect his career. You can’t say he isn’t taking it.

Hopefully, he continues to thrive as he rebuilds his stock once more. He may be down in League 1, but this is a massive year for the Celtic starlet.

In other news, All eyes on Kevin Nisbet vs Celtic after summer Parkhead speculation