Conor Hazard is at a stage in his Celtic career where he simply needs to get out and find an alternative path.
The transfer window closes in just under a fortnight’s time. If Hazard is still at Lennoxtown after August 31st, he’ll be in for another unproductive four months at the club before the next window opens in January.
Hazard is fourth choice at Parkhead. He’s in an even worse position now than he was in last year when he was behind Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain respectively. Now, you can throw Joe Hart into the list of names ahead of the Northern Irishman.
The goalkeeper hinted last season that he would need to leave at some stage if he wasn’t getting regular first-team football. At least if he wants to realise his international ambitions [Belfast Telegraph].
Only a handful of appearances were given to him last season. He was the hero in the 2020 Scottish Cup final against Hearts when he saved two penalties to win the game. However, there were question marks over his ability to deal with cross balls as he struggled to command his area.
New manager Ange Postecoglou has come in and quite simply hasn’t put his faith in Hazard. All of his goalkeeping rivals have played competitive minutes this season whilst Hazard has been rooted to the sidelines.
Conor Hazard will attract plenty of interest if he chooses to leave Celtic
In terms of interested parties, Dundee have been linked [Daily Record]. There have also reportedly been English clubs sniffing too [Scottish Sun].
Hazard signed a new Celtic contract last season that takes him until the summer of 2023. However, he can’t wait until then to kickstart his career again. At 23, he’s at an age where he needs to be playing regular football.
To say that’s going to happen this term just isn’t facing reality. Not when Postecoglou clearly doesn’t feel he’s even one of his top three.
Hazard has already done the loan circuit in the past. He was playing Scottish Championship football at 19 years of age. Loan spells with Falkirk, Partick Thistle, and a couple at Dundee had boosted his profile. Now, he has to go back out and show he can compete at a higher level.
Whether Hazard has a long-term Celtic future or not isn’t the point here. He doesn’t have an immediate one. Staying until January 2022 just isn’t productive for his career.
The time is now for Conor to start looking at life away from Parkhead. At least for the time being.
In other news, Juranovic signing would take Celtic over £16m in transfer fees this summer
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