HOOPS KID IN LOAN SWITCH

LEE O’CONNOR, the Republic of Ireland international signed from Manchester United in the summer, has agreed a loan switch to Partick Thistle for the remainder of the season.

The versatile Celtic defender is desperate for game time and Neil Lennon has allowed him to move to the Championship outfit they beat in the Scottish Cup on Saturday night.

O’Connor is a key member of Stephen Kenny’s Irish Under-21 side and was capped at senior level by Mick McCarthy last year.

Lennon acknowledged the youngster required first-team football and the player could make his Jags debut against Arbroath at Gayfield on Saturday.

The Hoops boss has cover at right-back following the breakthrough of Jeremie Frimpong, signed on the same day as O’Connor from Manchester City, Israeli international Hatem Abd Elhamed and Austrian Moritz Bauer, on loan until the end of the term from Stoke City.