1. Having trouble logging in by clicking the link at the top right of the page? Click here to be taken to the log in page.
    Dismiss Notice

Lee O'Connor

Discussion in 'Celtic Chat' started by The Thumb, Sep 2, 2019.

Discuss Lee O'Connor in the Celtic Chat area at TalkCeltic.net.

  1. Lupis Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2010
    Messages:
    3,950
    Likes Received:
    3,199
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Lubo
    That pun's so bad it made me smile.
     
    JML67 likes this.
  2. cfcturbo

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2009
    Messages:
    1,830
    Likes Received:
    996
    Location:
    Ireland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Thomas burns
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Skibereen by wolfe tones
    From the youtube videos he looks a great passata of the ball
     
  3. Colin Robinson Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2016
    Messages:
    7,658
    Likes Received:
    8,147
    57
     
    Marty McFly likes this.
  4. The Thumb

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2015
    Messages:
    11,028
    Likes Received:
    5,202
    Location:
    The North.
    Fav Celtic Song:
    The Celtic Song
  5. Henrik 07 Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2012
    Messages:
    160,758
    Likes Received:
    88,535
    Record interview with Richard Jack from the Manchester Evening News


    What type of player is he – including strengths/weaknesses?


    A versatile defender who is best suited to playing as a central defender, but was mainly utilised as a full back due to defensive shortages last season.

    Better suited to playing in a central role and has a good work rate which has helped him to impress coaches.

    How highly regarded was he within the academy?

    O'Connor was rated as one of the hottest talents in the current youth set-up at the club and was tipped to make his first-team debut had he stayed at United this season.

    Any notable achievements?

    Despite having no match experience in senior football O'Connor received international recognition last year when was named as part of Martin O'Neil's senior Ireland side for the Nations League encounter vs Denmark.

    He was also added to United's Champions League squad ahead of facing Barcelona last year, but never made a match day squad.

    Why has he been allowed to leave?


    There was real surprise once the deal was announced, and O'Connor was highly rated by fans at Old Trafford.

    An academy restructure in the summer might have reduced his playing opportunities going forward, but his pathway to men's football looks to be clearer playing in Scotland.
     
  6. Dublin Celt

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2019
    Messages:
    4,335
    Likes Received:
    3,036
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Barry Coffey
  7. Henrik 07 Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2012
    Messages:
    160,758
    Likes Received:
    88,535
    Stephen Kenny believes new Celtic recruit Lee O’Connor is best suited to playing at right-back.

    The versatile Waterford lad, 19, left Manchester United to sign a four-year deal with the Bhoys late on Monday night.

    But he was on the first plane home yesterday morning and trained with the Ireland Under-21s ahead of Friday’s crunch European qualifier against Armenia.

    O’Connor, who has played at fullback, centre back and central midfield, has already featured in a senior Irish squad.

    He was invited in for training purposes only in what proved to be Martin O’Neill’s last game in charge away to Denmark last November.

    But he was then added to the travelling party proper for that Aarhus clash but remains uncapped at senior level.


    Yet he is a key figure in Kenny’s Under-21s having played all five games at the recent Toulon Tournament and also featured for the Under-19s at the Euro finals in July.

    Kenny said of the Celtic move: “The first I knew about it was Saturday night. He rang me and said he'd keep me informed, the possibility of needing permission to miss training.

    “It's not a bad reason to miss training, to sign for Celtic for four years. It's hard to know what's a good move and isn't for players but he feels it's a good move for him.”


    O’Connor knows it won’t be easy to break into Neil Lennon’s first-team but felt it was the right time to take his chance away from Old Trafford.

    The teenager was set to travel to China with the Red Devils in pre-season and even had his visa sorted.

    But with Aaron Wan-Bissaka signed and Diogo Dalot still in the mix, he was down the pecking order and went to the Euros in Armenia instead with Tom Mohan’s Under-19s.

    Kenny said: “Going to Celtic is a challenge. It’ll be very difficult to get into the first-team and I’m sure he’s going with his eyes wide open.

    “They’re in the Europa group stages and are constantly wanting to get into the Champions League.

    “That’s the bar they’re trying to set so it’s not easy to get into the team there. But for his age, he has very good characteristics and an excellent attitude.

    “But I think he’s definitely a right back. He can play centre back but he’s a raider, a good defender who also raids.”

    Of his move to the Scottish champions, O’Connor said: "It feels surreal at the moment.”
     
  8. Officer Doofy Come to me, human man Gold Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2011
    Messages:
    60,839
    Likes Received:
    31,022
    More of a right back. Strange one with him and Frimpong both playing the same position.
     
  9. cas79

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2016
    Messages:
    6,485
    Likes Received:
    4,556
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Larsson
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Just can't get enough
    Watching his highlights and so far he looks incredible defensively,

    Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk
     
    Dublin Celt and Crilly like this.
  10. HTG "I have an uncle who does Yoga"

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2016
    Messages:
    10,464
    Likes Received:
    10,853
    Fav Celtic Player:
    CCV
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Let the people sing
    I seen somewhere that Frimpong can play both LB and RB equally, perhaps we've brought him in for our youth LB and O'Connor for our RB?
     
  11. Jeremie Frimpong

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2017
    Messages:
    9,438
    Likes Received:
    7,861
    I think that he'll mainly play at centre-half for us.
     
  12. Dublin Celt

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2019
    Messages:
    4,335
    Likes Received:
    3,036
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Barry Coffey
    He looked very good playing as a sitting cm at the euros during the summer. Seems very comfortable at rb or lb.. played a fair bit at cb for United. Seems he fills in where needed and just gets on with it.. that's his key to a breakthrough, his versatility until he makes a position his own

    Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk
     
  13. JC Anton Get yer, hats, scarfs badges & tapes

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2010
    Messages:
    50,816
    Likes Received:
    35,391
    Type of player we can have on the bench, can come in and play CB, RB, LB and CM..

    What an asset.
     
  14. tarboltontim We have nothing to lose but our chains. Gold Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2010
    Messages:
    5,303
    Likes Received:
    5,712
    Location:
    Middle of 1690, Ayrshire
    Fav Celtic Player:
    John Clark
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    Welcome to Celtic young man
     
  15. CookieMonster Geez yer cookies Gold Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2013
    Messages:
    25,075
    Likes Received:
    10,254
    Location:
    West Coast
    I think he’ll be put in as a sitting mid, too short for a centre back and we’ve plenty options at full back now even in the youth team. McInroy still injured as well? Plus Henderson out on loan so there’s a gap there to fill.
     
    Tommy25 and Jo-Jo-Buffon like this.
  16. Maestro 08

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2013
    Messages:
    4,912
    Likes Received:
    2,772
    Quite possibly. We're crying out for another CDM with a bit of bite so maybe he's been brought in to be moulded into that position. He certainly looks to have good battling qualities and appears to be an excellent reader of the game. Few have also mentioned he has played there quite a bit for Ireland as well. So not a bad shout.
     
    Tommy25 and Jo-Jo-Buffon like this.
  17. Moore Brendan Rodgers OUT Gold Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2008
    Messages:
    4,838
    Likes Received:
    2,003
    Location:
    Dalkeith
    Fav Celtic Player:
    CalMac
    Fav Celtic Song:
    JCGE + Grace + YNWA
    Seems a cracking player this felly, covers all areas at the back aswell :50:
    Aswell as the first team needing cover, Morrison leaving to Bayern also has something to do with this purchase
     
  18. Senna s1979

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    Messages:
    8,876
    Likes Received:
    4,854
    Location:
    Kent
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Danny McGrain
    Said myself a few pages back he looks to have all the qualities of a good DM. Didn't realise he has played there for Ireland!
    I think if we are smart here he could be our replacement for Broony and have him phased in over this season and next.
     
  19. Doogs. Lustig your the one, you still turn me on.

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    15,444
    Likes Received:
    13,690
    Location:
    Pollok
    Watching his videos he reads the game very well and has that bit of tenacity about him. Could very well be a successor to the man himself.
     
  20. Westlondonscot Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2018
    Messages:
    14,659
    Likes Received:
    11,349
    Location:
    Ealing, in Lahhhhhhndan
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Calmac
    Man united fans rated James Wilson. I'll wit til I see him.
     
    Tommy25 likes this.