Report: Conor Hazard turns down deadline-day Celtic loan exit

By Lewis Laird

February 1, 2023

Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard reportedly turned down a deadline-day loan exit move to Scottish Premiership side Ross County.

According to a report from the Daily Record, Celtic had agreed to send the Northern Ireland international to the Staggies for the rest of the campaign.

However, the report also states that the 24-year-old decided to remain at Parkhead rather than head out on loan in the second half of the season.

Hazard has only recently returned to the Lennoxtown setup after spending the entirety of 2022 with Finnish champions HJK Helsinki.

The goalkeeper enjoyed a successful loan spell in Scandinavia, helping Helsinki to another league title, winning supporters player of the year for his performances.

The Celtic academy graduate also played in the UEFA Europa League group stages after playing his part for his loan side in the early qualification rounds.

Helsinki and Hazard finished bottom of the group picking up just one point after coming up against AS Roma, Real Betis and Ludogorets.

Following the end of his spell last year, the shot-stopper is now back training amongst Ange Postecoglou’s first-team squad.

The injury of Ben Siegrist and the loan exit of Tobi Oluwayemi has also seen Hazard take up the 3rd choice goalkeeper role behind Joe Hart and Scott Bain.

Conor Hazard likely to remain at Celtic Park until the summer.

Going into the final day of the January transfer window, it looked as though there might have been a possibility of a loan departure for Conor Hazard.

Scottish Premiership side Ross County were believed to be interested in signing the Celtic academy graduate, and they made their move on deadline day.

However, the move didn’t come off, and reports today have confirmed that Hazard, in fact, turned down the move to join Malky MacKay’s squad.

Of course, there are still technically loan options that will be available for Hazard, such as the Scottish lower leagues or if an emergency loan move arises.

At this stage, though, it feels more likely that we could see the goalkeeper remain at Celtic Park until the summer.

After an enjoyable spell out in Finland last year, you would imagine that the young keeper will soon be keen to get out playing again.

It should be interesting to see how this situation develops. However, for now, we know that Conor Hazard will remain part of the Celtic setup.

In other news, How much Celtic reportedly spent in the January window; stunning £1.2m profit already.