Lee O'Connor

Right back has suddenly become the hardest position on the pitch for a young player to break through in.

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Would like to see him or Ajer played in Broonys role the other at Centre Back.

 

True, but if he's good enough we've got real talent on our hands.

 

Mick McCarthy confirmed that Lee O'Connor will make his first senior start for Ireland tomorrow night in a friendly against New Zealand.

 

Hopefully he doesn't start right back as that position is sewn up at club level..

In the 6 possibly to see if he could come back and do it well for us if called upon..

 

LEE O’CONNOR is set to make his debut for the Republic of Ireland against New Zealand, even though he is yet to feature for Celtic.

Hoops kid O’Connor was called into Mick McCathy’s squad for the friendly after picking up a suspension for Ireland’s under-21s.

The 19-year-old moved to Parkhead on a four-year deal from Manchester United in September.

McCarthy is also set to hand maiden appearances to Tottenham’s Troy Parrott and Jack Byrne of Shamrock Rovers.

He said: “Lee O’Connor, Troy Parrott and Jack Byrne will all start.

“Lee has been good, he looks to be settling in.


Young players come in and they’re always a bit quiet but the other lads are great in making sure they settle in well.”

Explaining earlier in the week why he had called up O’Connor, McCarthy said: “Lee is in a bit by default I guess, given the fact that he is suspended for the under-21s for their game against Armenia.”

 

Good on him. That’s huge before he even plays for us too.

 

Named as expected at RB.. wonder with time could he do a job alongside a broony for us . He played centre mid at u17s euros. But Stephen Kenny the next Ireland manager has said he is a right back

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He's been playing RB for u21s. That is where his future will be internationally I'd imagine. Depends on what happens here, of course. Given his physical prerequisites, he would make a decent box to box midfielder. Not sure how he is mentally to handle replacing Brown, alternatively.

 

Could he potentially play CB or even LB?

 

In some ways it sounds insane giving an international start to an u21 player but some ways clever as you get youngsters to commit to the country. It has worked well for Ireland and Wales in the past and maybe something Scotland should be doing.

 

Aye with wee dembele, give him a cap for Scotland national team and claim him forever

 

I think that ship has sailed.

 

Not sure, ever time I have seen him play it’s been RB and have to say, looked solid

 

Declan rice has pretty much proved there's very little loyalty even in international football.

Played for Ireland at all age groups up to and including the first team but the first sniff of English interest he jumped ship.

Scotland, Ireland, N Ireland and Wales will all have similar problems in the future, as soon as the stronger nation comes calling it will be difficult for the player to turn them down

In fairness to Scotland they got in early with mctominay, think he looks a proper player and I've got no doubt England would be in about him if they could now he's properly broken into the man utd team.

 

Ye but he's from Waterford and I don't think any other eligibility would be relevant or in question. He's playing tonight because he's suspended for the Armenian under 21 game. He's seen as a real talent and was part of the squad for the nation's league game away to denmark. Similiar scenario really for Parrott although he's on a different level of hype and would have been eligible for the u21s today

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I don't even know if he's training with the Celtic first team. Certainly can't remember seeing him in any of the photos that are released .

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To be fair, he was born in Kingston-on-Thames and grew up there. I imagine he feels very English.

 

Poor soul.

 

Who, Rice?