CONOR HAZARD will return to Celtic at the end of the month when his season-long loan deal with Finnish champions HJK Helsinki expires.
The 24-year-old four times-capped Northern Ireland international is out of contract in the summer and it’s make-your-mind-up-time for the keeper and Ange Postecoglou.
Hazard made 39 appearances while out on his temporary switch and was voted the Finnish top flight’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
SAFE HANDS…Conor Hazard in control during one of his rare first-team appearances for Celtic.
However, he faces being at least fourth in the pecking order at Parkhead with Joe Hart the man in possession of the No.1 spot with Benji Siegrist and Scott Bain as back-up.
Postecoglou already has high hopes for England youth keeper Tobi Oluwayemi who has been linked with several clubs looking to take the shotstopper on loan until the end of the season.
Hazard was the club’s quadruple treble hero when he saved two penalty-kicks in the shoot-out against Hearts to ensure the Scottish Cup was won in December 2020 to complete the phenomenal TWELVE domestic trophies in a row for the club.
The unforgettable experience against the Edinburgh team was one of only seven first-team appearances for the beanpole netminder.
As well as HJK Helsinki, Hazard has had loan stints at Falkirk, Partick Thistle and Dundee.
His next move, though, could be permanent with the end in sight for a player who will always be part of Celtic folklore.
