Bosun Lawal is more ready than ever to make a breakthrough at Celtic

Bosun Lawal has come a long way since swapping the banks of the River Liffey for the River Colne when he left Dublin club Bohemians to join Watford four years ago.

The Blanchardstown native rejected a professional contract at Watford in favour of a move to Glasgow’s East End in 2021, and after two seasons at the club he looks set to make a breakthrough into the Celtic first team this season.

Lawal joined EFL League One side Fleetwood Town on loan last summer in what would prove to be a very productive loan spell for the 21-year-old.

The Irishman has played in three different positions under three different managers, but it is under current Fleetwood Town manager Charlie Adams that Lawal has shone most.

Having played both full-back and centre-back midway through the season, Adams saw the elite physical qualities that Lawal possessed and felt he would excel in midfield. And excel, that is exactly what the 1.88m Dubliner did.

In 2024, Lawal would start 21 of Fleetwood’s remaining 22 league games in midfield, playing the majority of his football as a number eight but occasionally switching to number six as he scored five goals and registered two assists in those 21 games.

Celt’s improved attacking performance and brilliant form were not enough to prevent Fleetwood from being relegated to League Two, but it was enough to earn him a call-up to the Ireland senior squad.

Derby County v Fleetwood Town EFL League 1 19/08/2023. Fleetwood Town’s Bosun Lawal at Pride Park, Derby on August 19, 2023. Photo PSI

Lawal trained with John O’Shea’s squad ahead of their friendly clash against Hungary last month before helping Ireland Under-21s to a confident 3-2 win over Croatia and a 0-0 draw with England.

The Dubliner has continued his spiralling development during Celtic’s pre-season, making a positive impression off the bench against Ayr United last Friday night, earning him praise from Brendan Rodgers.

His inclusion in the Irish senior squad, a stellar year in League One and a current lack of depth in Celtic’s midfield all point to signs of a potential bumper pre-season for Lawal.

Celtic may not have made any signings yet this summer, but Lawal returned to Glasgow a different player to the one who ventured south seven months ago.

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