CELTIC loan star Eoghan O’Connell admits the gruelling fixture schedule at Walsall has been a shock to the system – but is delighted his quest for first-team football has been successful. 

The 21-year-old has been farmed out to the English League One side for the rest of the season and has earned rave reviews, with the play-off hopefuls conceding just two goals in the last five games O’Connell has started. 

The promising stopper made seven appearances for Celtic earlier this season, including a Champions League cameo against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in September.

Read more: Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers appeals to refs for protection after "horrendous" tackle on Kieran Tierney

However, he soon slipped behind the likes of Jozo Simunovic, Erik Sviatchenko and Kolo Toure in the pecking order. And he is now loving life as a key man at the Bescot.

O’Connell, whose deal  at Celtic expires in the summer, beamed: “I’m really enjoying it here and I have settled in really quickly. We’ve had a good run of results and I feel I’ve done all right performance-wise.

“It’s been good to have a run of games and there have been a couple of Tuesday night ones in there as well. 

“It’s just great to be playing games. I’ve played every minute so far and 
if I can keep that run going I’ll be really happy.”

Read more: Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers appeals to refs for protection after "horrendous" tackle on Kieran Tierney

Meanwhile, Celtic defender Mikael Lustig is looking to extending the club’s winning run tomorrow. 

He said of  opponents Hamilton: “They have two good strikers who always have goals in them, so we have to stay focused defensively. 

“But we know, especially at home, if we can get an early goal we can go on and score a few more, especially with the confidence we have and the way our attacking players are moving and want the ball.”