---
title: "Celtic: These fans weren’t happy with news of Lee O’Connor’s loan move being confirmed"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-these-fans-werent-happy-with-news-of-lee-oconnors-loan-move-being-confirmed/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2020-01-22T18:10:43Z"
modified: "2020-01-22T18:10:43Z"
---

# Celtic: These fans weren’t happy with news of Lee O’Connor’s loan move being confirmed

**Celtic confirmed on their official website [celticfc.net](https://www.celticfc.net/news/17416) on Tuesday that teenage defender Lee O’Connor has completed a loan move to Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle for the remainder of the season, with the news also shared on their Twitter channel [@CelticFC](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1219662543527936000).**

> We can confirm that Lee O'Connor has joined [@PartickThistle](https://x.com/PartickThistle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) on loan until the end of the season.
>
> Good luck, Lee! 🍀
>
> — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) [January 21, 2020](https://x.com/CelticFC/status/1219662543527936000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The 19-year-old, who joined from Manchester United last year and made his Republic of Ireland debut in November, has been [captaining the Hoops’ reserve team](https://www.celticfc.net/news/17416) and, according to [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/5179124/celtic-transfer-news-lee-oconnor-partick-thistle/), he has impressed with his performances at that level.

However, he has [yet to be given his bow at senior level](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lee-oconnor/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/366681) or [even be named on the bench by Neil Lennon](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lee-oconnor/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/366681) for a first team game. That is despite senior defenders such as [Hatem Abd Elhamed](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hatem-abd-elhamed-sends-celtic-21261039), [Boli Bolingoli](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18104157.boli-bolingoli-admits-90-minutes-hibs-important-celtic-injury-lay-off/) and [Kristoffer Ajer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/verletzungen/spieler/328658) all missing games through injury this season, with O’Connor forced to watch on as fellow 19-year-old Jeremie Frimpong has [broken through to the first team](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jeremie-frimpong/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/484547/plus/0/saison/2019/wettbewerb/SC1/verein/371).

After news of the Irishman’s loan was confirmed, these Celtic fans took to Twitter to voice their disapproval of the move, with one describing it as a “weird” development:

> The wisdom escapes me.We are constantly playing midfielders in defence,with mixed results,why not play theyoung guy.
>
> — jDB (@jDB34772262) [January 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/jDB34772262/status/1219671413306601473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Unpopular opinion but I think he’s good enough for our first team now
>
> — Leo Dougan (@LeoDougan) [January 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/LeoDougan/status/1219663590514483201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Doesn’t strike me as being a good arrangement for player or club.
>
> — joh (@joh670) [January 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/joh670/status/1219689857859182592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Never given a squad no should ve bn given a chance
>
> — Damien Mitchell (@Sligodamo32) [January 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/Sligodamo32/status/1219704389117542400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Too good for that level I’d say
>
> — Emrod (@Emrod\_lives) [January 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/Emrod_lives/status/1219664923908804608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Weird
>
> — 🧱 (@ftblkn) [January 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/ftblkn/status/1219702153767464962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Do you think Celtic made the right decision in loaning out O’Connor or should they have kept him at Parkhead? Comment below with your views!***