The defender was tracked by Celtic prior to his switch to Leeds United.
Prior to Paudie O’Connor’s move from Limerick to Leeds United, the Scottish Sun claimed Celtic were keeping a close eye on the then-18-year-old, so should the Bhoys move again for a player who is yet to make his first-team breakthrough at Elland Road?
The Irish Mirror reported that Leeds beat Celtic to the player’s signature when he arrived in Yorkshire last March, but for now the centre-back has had to make do with under-23 football, despite featuring 39 times for Limerick prior to his move.
That would not be so bad if it were not for the emergence of Conor Shaughnessy, who has moved from midfield to centre-back, signing a new long-term contract at Leeds and becoming the club’s fourth-choice defender behind Pontus Jansson, Liam Cooper and Matthew Pennington.
As a result O’Connor will have to fight tooth and nail just to get a sniff of first-team action, and even then he may be left disappointed.
Conor Shaughnessy has taken the chances some expected O’Connor to seize
At just 20, the Leeds defender has years ahead of him, but Celtic are not exactly flush with centre-backs right now, with Nir Bitton acting as a makeshift defender on plenty of occasions under Brendan Rodgers.
As a consequence it would not be the craziest thing to suggest Celtic look again at O’Connor. After all, the young Irishman only agreed a two-year deal when he initially signed for Leeds and, if no breakthrough is forthcoming in that time, he may seek a fresh start.
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