CELTIC defender Eoghan O’Connell could spark a transfer stampede when he becomes a free agent in the summer.
But the classy Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, on loan at Walsall until the end of the campaign, revealed he is in no rush to have contract talks with Brendan Rodgers.
O’Connell made seven appearances for the Hoops at the start of the campaign, but admitted there had been no moves for new contract.
The central defender said: “I’m not too sure what’s going to happen.
“My contract is up at the end of the season and we’ve not really discussed it.
“We will speak about it when I get back after my loan.
“But it’s not something I am thinking about too much. We will see what happens.”
The 21-year-old was snapped up on a temporary six-month transfer earlier this month and impressed in back-to-back victories over Sheffield United and Bristol Rovers in League One.
O’Connell, who scored in the club’s 3-1 win over Rovers at the weekend, said: “I’m really enjoying my time here.
“Everyone has been great with me. The lads and the manager are very welcoming. I settled in very quickly. It always takes a week or two to be fully settled, but the lads have made it so easy.
“I hadn’t played in a while before I got here, so I was a bit wary. But in both games I played we thoroughly deserved the win, so I’m very happy.”
The ball-playing back-four operator has also been praised by boss Jon Whitney.
The Saddlers gaffer said: “Eoghan’s technical side is really good. One of his biggest fortes is that he’s so comfortable on the ball.
“He doesn’t panic which is great because we are a team that want to retain the ball and I think we’ve struggled a little bit with that this season.
“He brings that, he brings a presence and he’s a winner.”
O’Connell, who has already had loan moves at Oldham and Cork City, scored against Leicester City in the 1-1 International Cup of Champions during pre-season at Parkhead.
He also played in the Champions League qualifiers against Astana and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, but faded from the first team picture when Rodgers brought in Kolo Toure while Jozo Simunlovic returned after his long-term injury.
