Lee O'Connor believes the decision to leave Manchester United and join Celtic was the right one for him.
The U21 international, one of Ireland's best players in Thursday evening's 0-0 draw with Italy, joined Celtic last month on a four-year deal.
"I went as a 15-year-old kid, a 15-year-old child," O'Connor said following the game in Tallaght.
It was like a second home to me. I’d become very close to everyone. The people I lived with, the club, the players, everyone.
It was a tough decision to leave, but at the end of the day, it had to be purely about football and what’s best for my career and I think I made the right decision.
I had an amazing three-and-a-bit seasons at United. I couldn’t speak highly enough about the club, the people at it, the players, everyone. But I think it was time for me to move on and everyone at the club understood that.
The 19-year-old from Waterford was not the only Ireland underage international who moved to Celtic this summer. Luca Connell and Jonathan Afolabi also joined.
"That's helped massively," said O'Connor.
"Especially with Jonny, it's helped me settle in a lot quicker having him around.
"At the moment, I’m just looking to get a run of games in the reserves and show them why they’ve got me there. Hopefully, the coaching staff will see and next season in pre-season, I can show the first-team manager that I’m capable enough to make the step.
"They put great faith in me. I’m very grateful for that, so I’m just looking to repay their faith now, get a good run of games and have a good performance level.
"I want to get into the first-team. That’s why I went to Celtic - it’s what I’m looking to do and hopefully I can do it."
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
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