Celtic defender turned midfielder Bosun Lawal has caught the attention of Bournemouth and Stoke City, with both English clubs keen to secure the promising 21-year-old’s services. However, they’re not alone in their pursuit, as Austrian giants RB Salzburg have also shown a strong interest according to jorurnalist Peter O’Rourke.

Lawal’s stock has risen significantly after a stellar loan spell at Fleetwood Town, where he netted six goals and provided two assists across 47 appearances. Despite his impressive performances, returning to Celtic has proven challenging, as manager Brendan Rodgers delivered a stark assessment of Lawal’s prospects for breaking into the first team.

Bosun Lawal Celtic
5th July 2024; Somerset Park, Ayr, Scotland; Scottish Pre Season Football, Ayr United versus Celtic; Bosun Lawal of Celtic

When asked about Lawal and his potential to step up next season, Rodgers didn’t mince words. “They need to be at a much higher level. If you’re going to play for Celtic, you have to be,” Rodgers told Record Sport. He was particularly critical of both Lawal and fellow midfielder Odin Holm. “Odin needs to do more. There’s something there, though, absolutely. The two boys have talent, but I want more. A lot more. Talent is not just enough. You can play in teams, but not in our team.”

Rodgers’ tough love could either make or break the player’s Celtic career. Should he seek regular first-team action, it’s unlikely Celtic would stand in his way. The upcoming pre-season tour in the USA, featuring three games against high-quality opposition, offers Lawal a crucial chance to prove his dedication and ability to Rodgers.

The question is whether Lawal can rise to the challenge and cement his place in the squad or if a move south or across the continent is on the horizon. The coming weeks will be pivotal, but we sway more on the side of Bosun leaving, at least on loan.

Fans have been split on the situation. There’s a real frustration our academy continues to fail and some see Lawal as someone who could potentially make the grade. Others believe he’s being hyped up because some are so desperate for academy kids to contribute.

Where do you stand?

2 COMMENTS

  1. Personally liking how Rodgers is trying to build the squad for next season?
    Might remain in a very small minority, as way to many still having the fixation upon incoming players, especially as they seem to have discarded contracted players already?
    There is a process involved in forming a squad, yet with the fixation upon incoming players, there can also be a questioning upon how Rodgers is actually going about the whole process imo?
    Starting from within, for the younger players involved is a process I fully support, add delighted to see Rodgers actually taking such an approach?
    Believe our 25man squad will consist of 7 midfield players imo?
    At present, we are possibly only looking at 3 as definite out of the 7, with Calmac, Hatate and Paulo currently?
    Yet we still have Iwata, Holm, Lawal and Kwon battling at present in order to secure a place within our 25man squad when completed?
    So the USA tour is so vital for these 4 players to impress within the tour, to see if they can get to the required standard that Rodgers is looking for, with the season ahead?
    Still believe Iwata should be OK, especially as a decent enough backup for calmac and to seeing games out, with a fair bit of positional flexibility within his game also?
    Lawal is still trying to make that step up in quality required, but certainly has huge potential within him and with being regarded as homegrown is also a massive factor to ourselves imo?
    Personally think he will also make our 25man squad but a decent showing on the tour might be regarded for himself to prove he’s ready for that step up?
    Potentially allows for lawal to drop in the calmac role, even if behind Iwata, and allows for calmac to be pushed into the more advanced attacking midfield role if required?
    So can see value in having lawal within our squad next season, even if he were to be counted as our 7th midfield player with limited game time over the course of the season at present, but that also has an opportunity to change if his development increases also?
    Many have already written off Holm and Kwon already, which is a strange outlook, especially when far from proven, and don’t seem to think young players can develop as looking for instant impact?
    Both showed enough in the 2 pre season games to date, to warrant a place on the plane to the USA.
    Was impressed with some of Kwon long range passing, and will be interesting to see if it can be effective against stronger opposition and more speed available in the wider areas for ourselves?
    We have seen glimpses of what Holm is capable of, but can tend to drift in and out of games, so can understand Rodgers looking for more from him?
    Still think Holm could benefit moreso from a loan move away, with more game time to help improve the inconsistency levels, which can be normal enough within younger players learning there trade?
    With Oreily also on this tour, it remains impossible to say how much game time he will be given, especially if he should be for the off?
    And as its only a guess at this stage, because no-one really knows what Rodgers actual plans are for midfield areas within our squad for next season at present?
    I would say that another 2 midfield players will be required for ourselves, with 1 as the replacement for Oreily imo?
    Weather Holm and Kwon will be loaned or sold remains very questionable at this stage?
    But there remains a chance that they could show enough to put themselves in contention within the plans of Rodgers for next season and beyond still?
    Even if it may seem unlikely, but certainly not impossible either?
    Decision making will be Rodgers at the end of the day, but still appreciate how he is addressing the whole process involved, and should stand well for ourselves in the future regarding academy players trying to break into our squad imo?
    We haven’t really had much of a development operation within the club of any note for years now?
    Personally think the process on show is definitely a step in the right direction now imo?
    How successful the process with starting from within first, remains to be seen yet?

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