Celtic seal two-year deal for promising cup-winning goalkeeper

Celtic have confirmed goalkeeper Conor Hazard has been rewarded with a new contract – keeping him at Parkhead until at least 2023.
Celtic's Conor Hazard warms up before his  league debut for Celtic against Kilmarnock on December 13, 2020 (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS)Celtic's Conor Hazard warms up before his  league debut for Celtic against Kilmarnock on December 13, 2020 (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS)
Celtic's Conor Hazard warms up before his league debut for Celtic against Kilmarnock on December 13, 2020 (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS)

The Northern Irish prospect was drafted into the first team picture earlier this season and won the Scottish Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Hearts at Hampden.

However the youngster – who has spent five seasons in the Lennoxtown youth ranks – fell out of favour again under then coach Neil Lennon but made seven appearances over the course of the campaign, and was unbeaten over each of his appearances, conceding six times.

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Hazard turns 23 on Friday and has been vying with Greek international Vasilias Barkas and former Aberdeen goalkeeper Scott Bain for the number one spot, appearing seven times this season including a 3-2 win over Lille in the Europa League and the historic cup final win.

The position has been problematic for the club with no clear occupant for the jersey with Barkas appearing 23 times over two spells in favour and Bain picked for 17.

The 6’5” 22-year-old has also spent time on loan with Dundee, Partick Thistle and Falkirk for exposure to competitive football ahead of his Celtic Park bow in November and will remain with the club until 2023 on a two-year extended deal despite the future manager still being unknown a week on after Lennon’s resignation.

Hazard has one international cap to his name, selected by Michael O’Neill for Northern Ireland’s friendly with Costa Rica in 2018 following his loan spell at Falkirk, and has been a regular feature in his country’s squads since.

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