Celtic defender Lee O’Connor will make his senior Republic of Ireland debut tomorrow, manager Mick McCarthy has confirmed this evening.
The versatile 19-year-old moved to Celtic on a four-year deal from Manchester United on transfer deadline day and, as we told you previously, the decision to let the youngster leave Old Trafford left plenty of Red Devils supporters pretty angry at the time.
O’Connor is still waiting to make his full debut for Neil Lennon’s Hoops but it certainly hasn’t hurt his international ambitions, with McCarthy confirming he’ll start ROI friendly against New Zealand in Dublin on Thursday evening – ahead of the crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark on Monday, also in Denmark.
Speaking ahead of the friendly, McCarthy said via the Sun: “Lee O’Connor, Troy Parrott and Jack Byrne will all start.
“Lee has been good, he looks to be settling in.
“Young players come in and they’re always a bit quiet but the other lads are great in making sure they settle in well.
“Lee is in a bit by default I guess, given the fact that he is suspended for the under-21s for their game against Armenia.”
Celtic fans have witnessed this season how Jeremie Frimpong has burst onto the scene and developed into a potentially key player for Lennon’s side – so could O’Connor be next off the conveyor-belt?
Let us know in the comments section below…
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