BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
EOGHAN O’CONNELL admits his Celtic future remains uncertain after revealing he is yet to hold contract talks with Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers.
The 21-year-old was farmed out on loan to English League One side Walsall for the rest of the season and has immediately earned rave reviews, with manager John Whitney describing him as “outstanding” following stand-out displays against Sheffield United and Bristol Rovers.
However, his long-term prospects are in the balance, with the Irish defender’s contract with Celtic due to expire this summer.
O’Connell made seven appearances for the Scottish champions earlier this season – including a Champions League cameo in the 7-0 defeat at the Nou Camp in September – and garnered praise from Rodgers for some assured showings.
However, after slipping behind the likes of Jozo Simunovic, Erik Sviatchenko and Kolo Toure in the Parkhead pecking order he was sent to the Bescot – and is yet to discuss an extension to his deal with the Scottish champions.
O’Connell told expressandstar.com: “I’m not too sure what’s going to happen next season. My contract is up at the end of the season and we’ve not really spoken about it up there.
“We will speak about it when I get back from the loan. But it’s not something I’m thinking about too much, we will just see what happens.
“I’m really enjoying my time [at Walsall]. Everyone has been great with me. The lads and the manager are very welcoming. I settled in very quickly. It always takes a week or two to be fully settled but the lads have made it so easy.
“I hadn’t played in a while when I got here so I was a bit wary. But in both games I played we thoroughly deserved the win so I’m very happy.”
