Young goalkeeper idolises Edwin van der Sar

Not many know Conor Hazard, but almost everyone knows Edwin van der Sar.

Hazard joined the Celtic Youth Academy in July 2014 and is in the Northern Ireland Under-19’s squad for their international games – his first call-up at that level.

The 17-year-old is a ‘keeper, whose career highlights including international games in the European Championships against Portugal, Slovenia and Turkey as well as his victory Shield victory over Scotland.

He is hoping to break into the Development Squad and improve there and hopefully follow in the footsteps of Kieran Tierney and Aidan Nesbitt who have both made the leap from the Development squad to the senior team.

Being from Ireland, his Gaelic background has assisted him in making the transition from a left side of midfield to a ‘keeper. His natural ability in Gaelic led to him filling in for an injured ‘keeper in the Foyle Cup where he saved a penalty. From then on, the youngster was between the posts.

As for idols, he did have one player who stood out for him, as quoted by Celtic’s official website.

When asked who his football idol was he said:

Edwin van der Sar. He’s one of the best goalkeepers I’ve ever seen. He’s a player I looked up to and aspire to be like. I didn’t really like anyone else in the Manchester United team, only him.

He did also have an idol from Celtic, and it’s no surprise who it was given his age.

My Celtic idol would be Henrik Larsson for everything he did for the club, the goals he scored – and his chip against Rangers in the Demolition Derby was incredible.