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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

‘Exceptional’: Bosun Lawal Celtic rise predicted by Republic of Ireland coach

Celtic starlet Bosun Lawal has been tipped to make a first team breakthrough next season.

Lawal is back at the Scottish Premiership champions following a successful loan spell with Fleetwood Town in English League One. 

He recently received a call-up to the Republic of Ireland's senior squad, and his under-21 coach, Jim Crawford, believes he's on the right track to becoming a star.

Crawford asserts that Lawal possesses the qualities that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers seeks in a young player ready to advance up a level.

"Bosun has a real presence on the pitch, whether it's centre-back or midfield," said Crawford.

"I've seen him playing so many times for Fleetwood now in midfield. He's been excellent, he really has that presence. Playing in midfield for Fleetwood compared to international football, it's totally different. It's far more tactical at international level and I think he'll adapt to that because he's a quick learner.

"He can pass a ball, be aggressive in there and he's shown with Fleetwood on numerous occasions, he can score goals too. Where we've been playing him - centre-back - up until now, he's been exceptional and I've had conversations with Darren O'Dea at Celtic and we share similar views on him, what he contributes to a team playing centre-back, with the game in front of him he's exceptional. I'm excited at the prospect of him playing in midfield.

"Bosun is John's [O'Shea] type of player. It's going to be a really interesting season for him when he goes back to Celtic. I'm sure Brendan Rodgers will be interested in the boy's qualities so I do think coming to this June camp will help him be ahead of the curve in fitness when he goes back to pre-season."

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