CELTIC target Dara O’Shea took centre stage as Burnley thumped Luton Town 4-1 in their opening game in the Championship last night.
The Republic of Ireland centre-back scored with a towering header as last season’s two relegated sides met at Kenilworth Road.
Dublin-born O’Shea, who is valued over the £7million mark, has been linked with the champions in recent months as Brendan Rodgers seeks cover in the middle of his rearguard.
AIR WE GO…Dara O’Shea outjumps a posse of Luton Town defenders to power in Burnley’s third goal in the 4-1 win at Kenilworth Road. Image courtesy Sky Sports.
Maik Nawrocki, who cost £4.3million when he joined from Legia Warsaw last summer, and Gustaf Lagerbielke, a £3million purchase from Elfsborg at the same time, appear expendable while Stephen Welsh seems to be viewed as back-up.
That leaves Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales as the Hoops’ first picks and it’s clear Rodgers needs an addition in that area and at left-back where Greg Taylor is unchallenged for the No.3 spot.
O’Shea, capped 26 times, took the opportunity to rise and shine against Luton – quite literally.
The pacy defender outjumped the home defence to get his head to a left-wing corner-kick to bullet an unsaveable header low into the net to make it 3-1 and kill off any hopes of a fightback by the hosts.
Josh Brownhill and Wilson Odobert had the visitors two goals ahead before Tahith Chong pulled one back 10 minutes after the restart.
O’Shea then struck to deflate Luton and Brazilian winger Vitinho added the fourth.
