BOSUN THE FIELD
Ireland U21 star Bosun Lawal targeting Celtic breakthrough next season amid bright loan spell at Fleetwood Town
Lawal has his focus on what his regular action for Ireland and Fleetwood can do for him
BOSUN LAWAL hopes doing it amongst men can make him one of the Bhoys.
The 20-year-old Ireland Under-21 star has impressed this season on loan from Celtic at League One Fleetwood Town.
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This week, he is with the Under-21s as they face San Marino in the UEFA qualifiers looking for the win to stay in contention for next year’s finals.
But he also has his focus on what his regular action for Ireland and Fleetwood can do for him next season, when he returns to Celtic.
Lawal said: “Obviously (the plan is) to get as many games as I can up until then and go again in pre-season, make an impact hopefully at Celtic.
“They do keep in touch. I speak to the coaches quite a bit and they come to the games sometimes.
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“I just wanted to gain experience and get as many minutes as I could in a first team environment.
“Once that happened I knew the performances would come together and thankfully they have.”
That he has been a regular all season with Fleetwood under three managers - he was signed by Scott Brown, then featured under Lee Johnson and now Charlie Adam - should help.
He added: “It's what I have been wanting. I needed the first-team environment and first-team football. Thankfully everything is going well.
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“I have been playing consistently for the Under-21s for the last 12 months and it has helped. Playing international level, a lot of eyes are watching.
“Once you perform you put each other in a good position to go elsewhere and get a good loan or something.”
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And recently, Lawal has also been moved from centre half into midfield.
He added: “It was just a straight transition. In the second game Charlie Adam came in and put me into midfield.
“I hadn't played there at all with Celtic but played there with Watford and back in Ireland too.
“I feel like I can have a bigger impact on the game from the middle than from behind. Going forward and defending shows more of me as a player.
“I say my preference is in midfield but I’m cool with whatever.”
This week, he is likely to be at centre half for Ireland having nailed down a spot in the back four under Jim Crawford.
Ireland are well-placed to qualify for next year’s finals in Slovakia after a first half of the campaign when they picked up ten points from five games.
But the November window, when they led 2-1 against both Norway and Italy late in games but picked up just one point was a blow.
And Lawal knows it is vital they make light work fo group whipping boys San Marino this Friday to stay in contention ahead of the bigger games later this year.
He added: “I just think its just another game and just another three points at stake.
“We need to go in with the right mentality, do the job, get the three points and leave. We have to not be complacent, work hard and showcase our talent.”