Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard has broken into first-team reckoning this season; now, he wants to stay there.
The Bhoys splashed the cash to sign Vasilis Barkas last summer, viewing the Greek international as the ideal long-term replacement for Fraser Forster and Craig Gordon.
Barkas has struggled though, and that means Hazard has managed to make six appearances for Celtic in all competitions.
The 23-year-old has previously spent time on loan with Falkirk, Partick Thistle and Dundee, with a breakthrough at Celtic looking unlikely before this season.
Hazard has now admitted to the Daily Record that first-team football is now one of his ‘non-negotiables’, claiming he will look at his options if he isn’t first-choice goalkeeper at Celtic.
“My main focus is I have to get game time. That has to be one of the non-negotiables now if I’m going to take the next step in my career,” said Hazard.
“With Celtic the main aim is to be number one and I’ll go back and do everything I can to nail that down. If that doesn’t work then I’ll look at the options,” he added.
Hazard may be left a little disappointed, as Celtic are looking at signing another stopper in Hibernian ace Ofir Marciano.
Edinburgh Live claim that Celtic are keen on Marciano, who can be signed for free this summer with his Hibs contract set to end.
The Israeli is an experienced stopper at 31, and would provide a stumbling block for Hazard in his quest for first-team football – even if Barkas is moved on this summer.
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