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Rodgers: Lawal's talent needs work ethic for Celtic

Posted : 16 July 2024

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has laid down the gauntlet for young defender Bosun Lawal, challenging him to significantly raise his game to secure a regular spot in the first team.


The 21-year-old Irish-Nigerian defender, despite being highly rated at Celtic Park, has only one senior appearance under his belt - a Scottish Cup match in 2023.  To gain experience, Lawal was loaned to Fleetwood Town last season, where he impressed playing in a midfield role, a position different from his natural center-back spot.


Lawal is currently back with the Celtic first team for pre-season preparations. He featured as a substitute against Ayr United and even started against Queen's Park. However, Rodgers clearly believes Lawal needs to step up his performance if he wants to compete for a first-team spot alongside another youngster, Odin Thiago Holm.


"We saw Francis Turley come on the other night," Rodgers stated, according to Daily Record. "He's a young player I've barely seen, but if he progresses and improves his physicality, he has the potential to be a good player. He moves well and makes intelligent runs." 


Rodgers continued, outlining his expectations: "Look how (Turley) moves, how he receives the ball, makes runs – he's bright, gets into the box, and finishes. He just needs more power and energy. That's football:  movement, receiving the ball smartly."


"Both boys (Holm and Lawal) have talent," Rodgers admitted, "but I want more, a lot more. Talent alone isn't enough. It might get you into some teams, but not this one."


Lawal's impressive loan spell at Fleetwood Town has reportedly attracted interest from English clubs like QPR, Portsmouth, and Derby County. This interest adds another layer to the situation as Rodgers decides whether to give Lawal a chance at Celtic or sanction a potential loan or sale.

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