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Celtic: Paul Lambert tips Conor Hazard to feature in the Old Firm

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Image for Celtic: Paul Lambert tips Conor Hazard to feature in the Old Firm

Celtic legend Paul Lambert has tipped Conor Hazard to feature for the Hoops in the upcoming Old Firm derby.

Lambert appeared as a guest on the latest episode of the Celtic Huddle podcast and the panel discussed multiple issues involving the Bhoys. One topic of discussion was the goalkeeping position in the team and host Mark Wilson asked Lambert about whether Hazard should start against the Gers. Lambert made it clear that he won’t be too fussed about changing the goalkeeper for the Old Firm.

Should Hazard start in the Old Firm?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Celtic did sign Vasilis Barkas from AEK Athens in the summer, but the Greek goalkeeper has stopped being a regular between the sticks. Initially, Scott Bain played a few games but Hazard has now become a part of the first-team too.

Lambert made it clear that he was impressed by Hazard in the Scottish Cup final against Hearts and he would be happy to see him feature in the Old Firm.

He said: “The young lad that was in the cup final has made big saves in big moments. I think that’s what you judge him on. That’s certainly a game where your goalkeeper had to play really, really well and give you a hand but I wouldn’t be too fussed about changing the goalkeeper because the lad’s done pretty well, I think.”

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TIF Thoughts on Lambert’s comments on Hazard…

The 22-year-old Hazard is a product of the Celtic youth academy and previously spent loan stints at Partick Thistle and Dundee FC.

The young goalkeeper has started the last three Premiership games for the Bhoys. He also played in the cup final and also started against Lille in the last game of the UEFA Europa League (as per Transfermarkt).

In the Premiership, he has picked up a decent rating of 6.83 and that is higher than both Barkas and Bain. It shows that he’s had a better season than both of them and because of that, dropping him for the Old Firm may not be a wise move from Lennon.

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European Football Writer. Contributed for FootballItalia, Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, Calciomercato, GFFN and more.