Celtic were hoping to see Osaze Urhoghide kick on and shine during a loan spell in Belgium with Oostende – but he endured a difficult Saturday evening.
The Bhoys signed Urhoghide from Sheffield Wednesday over the summer, taking advantage of his contract expiring contract at Hillsborough.
Very much one for the future, Urhoghide needs some coaching up and plenty of minutes. The latter has been hard to come by at Celtic.
The 21-year-old has made just one first-team appearance for Celtic this season, and that came in a Europa League dead rubber against Real Betis in December.
Celtic decided to loan Urhoghide out late in January to give him first-team action, and an intriguing move to Oostende was agreed.
Jack Hendry thrived after making the same move from Celtic to Oostende, but Urhoghide will need to bounce back to hit those heights.
Urhoghide made his Oostende debut against Mechelen on Saturday, seemingly starting at right wing back in what proved to be a difficult night.
Oostende were beaten 3-0, with former Celtic winger Maryan Shved getting himself on the scoresheet for Mechelen.
Urhoghide didn’t make it past half time as he was hooked at the break in favour of Brecht Capon – a more natural wing back.
Being substituted at half time is never great, but this doesn’t have to be the defining moment of Urhoghide’s time with Oostende.
If played in a more familiar right-sided centre back role, Urhoghide could still enjoy a Hendry-like rise and prove himself to Ange Postecoglou.
It’s a bad start for Urhoghide, but with plenty of time to turn things around in Belgium before heading back to Celtic.
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