With Celtic’s squad threadbare at the start of this season and even still now – many fans thought some of the fringe players they’ve yet to see make an impact at the club would get their chance.
However, with time not being on Ange Postecoglou’s side the new manager has had to make a lot of snap decisions on his best team and how to proceed in the short term.
One man who many Celtic fans had high hopes for was Luca Connell. We know we’re only two league games and three European games into the season, but the Irish under 21 international looks like he will spend another season in the stands.
Luca’s too old to play for the Colt side and he doesn’t look like he’ll be getting a first team chance any time soon. Celtic’s League Cup draw is against Hearts, meaning it’s unlikely Ange will want to send out a younger team in the competition.
Luca’s Ireland boss Jim Crawford said back in May, the player has wasted two years of his career at Celtic:
“I have had a conversation with him already, I told him I was a bit concerned with him coming into the last camp,” Crawford told The Independent.
“So we sat down and spoke about it, that he does need to be playing first team football week-in week-out as he has the ability. He had a taste when Mick McCarthy brought him in with the senior team and in fairness to him he’s open, he understands.
“He wants to kick on this year at Celtic, he understands that if things don’t, it’s about him having a discussion with the powers that be at Celtic to see where his best option is, to go out on loan or what have you.”
It would be best for Luca to go back out on loan but at a higher level than where he was at with Queens Park last season. The midfielder was a stand out in the short time he was with the Glasgow club and Celtic fans believe there’s something there.
However, right now, he needs to develop and leaving Celtic on a loan move would likely suit the club more than it suits Luca.
He wants first team football and you have to imagine he’s going to have a difficult conversation with the manager.
