He jumped straight into the senior squad off the back of his first team run with Bolton at 17/18. I remember Robbie Keane being quoted as being impressed by him when he was with the Seniors. So he has missed the under 21s so far. I'd expect him to be in their next squad though.
Yeah a call-up to the 21s seems about right - maybe gives them the depth to allow Smallbone to move up to the Seniors
If memory serves me, he was called up as an injury replacement for one of the squads, after they had met up but before they had played the first game. He traveled to the away match but picked up a knock during training and wasn’t put on the bench as a result...
Celtic was a bad move. He was very badly advised.
He'd previously impressed at Championship level and received a a senior international call-up off the back of it.
Needs a loan move for his career to again pick up momentum.
No Luca in squad today. He shouldn’t sit on this one, needs games. Bit part appearances and learning from average midfielders not optimal, needs loan to SPL side. All the indicators are I won’t be splashing out on a CelticTV subscription this year...
The problem with Celtic is there is no pressure on the manager to try anything different or play young guys. Because they win every year
The pressure is on 10 in a row. They are taking no chances whatsoever, especially as last year's title race was in the balance until the winter break.
Several of the team's regulars were given chances as kids, and Frimpong still is a kid.
Connell clearly needs, at least, a loan move away from Parkhead this season.
A quite appalling waste of talent as things stand. Deserves a chance to further his career. Even if that be a loan move at League One/Scottish Premiership level.
If Luca was a full back he could've been a contender like Frimpong who got a fortunate break as Celtic were looking for 2 FBs last season, since Tierney was sold and the Swede Lustig moved on.
Good interview here with Craig Burley regarding the pressure of stopping the 10 in a row in 1998. Obviously Celtic are on the other side of it this time around, but not sure that'll be any easier - https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-39416760.htmlOriginally Posted by Stuttgart88
Yep. Swansea come to mind and if brentford stay down.
Not sure he'd be high profile enough to get Swansea or Brentford. I'd be happy enough with a SPL or League 1 team this season as long as he's getting regular first team games. Somewhere like Hibs or Oxford would be good (obviously loads of other possible clubs too).
Hibs would have to have been impressed with him the way he played against them in friendly last week. At least hes in around squad though, Lee O Connor and Johnathan Afolabi have fallen off the face of the earth and need a career kickstart quickly or they could fall out off football
That would be a hugely exciting, albeit a rather unlikely move as things currently look, for Connell.
A move to a Sunderland/Portsmouth/Barnsley or another Scottish Premeirship side, Dundee United or the like, would be hugely welcome.
Or maybe a Dutch team?
The problem that Luca has is a good one, but a particular one.
He's obviously a footballer, as well as tough and a grafter. He needs to go to a team that will not only get the ball into his feet, but also look for him to be on the ball and use it in the way that we saw in the highlights reel vs Hibs.
That's a very finite list of possibilities in the UK, given his lack of profile as Eirambler pointed out.
If we're looking at the championship, a club like Millwall ironically enough would be perfect. Other contenders, Preston, Reading.
Somewhere where there isn't huge pressure to get promoted automatically, and that play football, and are known for developing players. Bournemouth, if Howe was staying would have been a nice one too.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Another set back today for Luca Connell with academy midfielder Scott Robertson preferred to him on the bench away to Kilmarnock.
I know you will want to check me into John of Gods, but I actually think that could be good news, Lennon obviously doesn't rate him and this could be Luca chance to go out on loan where he can properly develop
No point being in and out and on the bench etc etc
I watched the Celtic game yesterday. They did not play well.
They have weaknesses all over the field to be honest, but in particular they were crying out for something different in central midfield. They need a player in there who can bring energy to their play, likes a tackle and has a passing game that can open up defences and create chances.
So I'd expect Lennon to be dipping into the transfer market again in the coming weeks.
They were pretty clueless looking alright. Unusual for such a side to have so much possession in the final third but never really look like creating a chance, let alone score. Still, a 17 year old saw minutes the week before, a 19 year old made the bench yesterday and they already have one starting every game. This notion that they (or Lennon) won't give youth a chance seems to be a bit wide of the mark, they just haven't given our guys much of a chance so far.
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