Celtic podcaster Chris Sermanni has tipped youngsters Lee O’Connor and Stephen Welsh to feature for the club in the upcoming friendlies in France.
Sermanni was recently a guest on the latest episode of The Cynic podcast and the panel talked about the club’s pre-season programme, which gets underway on Thursday. Sermanni said that both Welsh and O’Connor could get some game time under Neil Lennon in the friendlies.
As per the club’s schedule, the Hoops play three friendlies in France, with the games against Nice and Lyon coming as part of the Veolia Trophy, a four-team mini-tournament which also features their Old Firm rivals. They also play Paris Saint-Germain in a one-off match on 21st July.
Speaking ahead of their clash against Nice on Thursday evening, Sermanni voiced his belief that the two youngsters could get a chance in these games.
He said: “I’ve got a wee feeling that we might see one of the young players come through at the back. I think Welsh or O’Connor might be next in line after [Jeremie] Frimpong to stake a place there, especially with all the speculation about [Kristoffer] Ajer and AC Milan and things like that. Obviously [Jozo] Simunovic has left, so there’s a gap there. We obviously haven’t heard much in terms of transfer talk about reinforcing there.
Will O'Connor and Welsh play in the friendlies for Celtic?
Absolutely!
I don't think so
“So it might be that there’s a confidence that one of those guys can step up. I’ve got a wee feeling that even if we do sign a replacement, those guys might get some game time this season. We’ve seen Welsh [at Hamilton] and he looked quite steady. Okay, Hamilton’s maybe not the most frenetic of opposition. O’Connor has played for Ireland. He’s not had a game for us, but [he was] certainly highly rated at Man United and he’s made the step up for the Republic. So I wouldn’t be surprised if we see these guys getting some game time.”
Sermanni seems to believe that because of the condition of the squad right now, the two youngsters could get a go in the friendlies and the lack of transfer talk in the centre-back department could be a sign that the club has confidence in Welsh and O’Connor.
TIF Thoughts…
Kristoffer Ajer has indeed been linked with a move to Milan in recent weeks and latest reports have suggested that the Rossoneri could make a new offer for the Norwegian. Jack Hendry has also departed for Belgian club KV Oostende on a season-long loan. Simunovic left Parkhead as his contract at the club ran out at the end of May.
Since the turn of the year, Celtic have used a 3-5-2 shape multiple times, ditching the 4-2-3-1 formation they had often used in the first half of the campaign. If they play the 3-5-2 shape on a consistent basis next season, they might need extra defensive options, which may give weight to Sermanni’s theory – so perhaps it won’t be too much of a surprise if the two youngsters do get some first-team football over the next few weeks and beyond.