Celtic pundit Andy Walker has blasted the performance of Hoops loanee Oliver Burke in the club’s 2-1 victory over Hearts on Sunday.
Neil Lennon fielded a largely young side as he rested key players ahead of the Scottish Cup final next Saturday, with 20-year-old Mikey Johnston netting twice to ensure the Bhoys ended the Scottish Premiership campaign on a high note.
One more senior Celtic player who was involved was Burke – who was making his 19th appearance of his loan spell – but Sky Sports co-commentator Walker savaged his performance during the match.
“I didn’t notice him at all, Burke, in that first half. He comes with such a big reputation,” the former Celtic man said, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
“I think he’ll be one of a number of Celtic players who won’t be here next season.”
OPINION
Thankfully for Walker, Burke is set to move back south of the border following the Scottish Cup final next weekend. The winger’s loan from West Brom in January has been fruitful in terms of what it was designed to do – let the player go and get experience elsewhere. He has certainly done that, making 19 appearances since joining the club. But as a forward, his stats have not been great. He has only managed four goals and three assists in his time at Parkhead, and there is no doubt he will be moving back to the Midlands with a point to prove. In fact, on this basis, there is a chance the 22-year-old could be sent right back out on loan. In Sunday’s game, he was – as Walker points out – especially flat. He did not add anything to the game at all and was replaced at half-time by Lennon for 16-year-old Karamoko Dembele, who made a fool of Burke by putting in a stellar second-half performance.