An impressive European debut for Eoghan O’Connell.
Celtic secured a valuable 1-1 draw in their Champions League third-round qualifier away to Astana. Brendan Rodgers’ side went behind to the side from Kazakhstan after 19 minutes following a defence mix-up on a corner.
For long periods of the game, it appeared as though Celtic would be returning to Glasgow empty-handed. However, their chances of progression to the final qualifying round of Europe’s top club competition was greatly aided by Leigh Griffiths’ strike 12 minutes from full-time.
The striker showed great composure to finish beyond the Astana ‘keeper, following some good work down Celtic’s right hand side by Patrick Roberts.
Griffiths!!!! 1-1 🍀🍀 pic.twitter.com/h2PWwna025
— ByTheMinute Celtic (@ByTheMinCeltic) July 27, 2016
It was the performance of Eoghan O’Connell that appeared to catch the eye the most in the game though. The 20-year-old defender from Cork, and cousin of former Ireland rugby captain Paul O’Connell, was drafted into the team due to Celtic’s injury problems, but didn’t look out of place.
Hoops’ fans were very impressed.
https://twitter.com/tpin88/status/758322600212885504
https://twitter.com/CammyCosgrove/status/758324924696129538
@celticfc Get in there hon the Bhoys Roberts excellent. O Connell class tonight
— Patrick Keane (@pakeane1984) July 27, 2016
Give Eoghan O'Connell time and I can see him doing very well at Celtic in the future.
— Rachel Lynch (@Rachel_Lynchx) July 27, 2016
O'Connell playing out of his skin!!!
— Radar (@Radar1888) July 27, 2016
Eoghan O'Connell 👊🍀
— Ross McGinley (@RossMcGinley3) July 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/ConorWisdom/status/758324284666343424
Really impresed with young O'Connell. Stands out like a real pro. Puts the rest of the experienced players to shame.
— James McCall 🇯🇵🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@j4mcc4ll) July 27, 2016
What a player the boy O Connell is going to be, looks a Rolls Royce in this game
— Patrick Cregg (@PadgeCregg) July 27, 2016
