Celtic have been involved in 16 outgoing loan deals this season, with players unable to break into Brendan Rodgers' starting XI seeking first-team opportunities in Scotland, England, Ireland, Australia, Brazil and Austria.
Some are unlikely to ever play in a Celtic jersey again, whilst others have been moved on for their own development in the hope that they will feature for Rodgers at some stage in the future.
At 20 years of age, Bosun Lawal appears to fit firmly into the latter category. Lawal has grasped his opportunity in 45 appearances for Fleetwood Town, with the Irishman going from strength-to-strength in League One.
Whilst others are also impressing for their loan clubs - namely Mikey Johnston at West Brom, and Kwon Hyeok-kyu at St Mirren - Bosun Lawal may be shining the brightest for all those players trying their luck away from Celtic Park.
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Early projection at Celtic
Bosun Lawal joined Celtic after impressing in the youth setup at Watford down south as well as for the Republic of Ireland youth teams.
He had shone as a midfielder as a teenager at Watford, but was switched to centre-half when appearing in Celtic's B-team.
Despite the change of position, Lawal was unfazed when playing as a defender at Lowland League level. His performances attracted the attention of Ange Postecoglou, who justly rewarded him with an appearance for the first-team last season.
It was clear that Lawal was far too good for the Celtic B-team, and a move down south to join Scott Brown on a season-long loan at Fleetwood followed.
Overcoming early Fleetwood woes
After a poor start to 2023/24, Scott Brown was relieved of his duties as Fleetwood boss just a few weeks into the season. Given that Brown had likely played a big part in taking the inexperienced Lawal to the club, alarm bells could have already been ringing in the Irishman's head when his gaffer was unceremoniously sacked just 17 days later.
Brown was replaced by Hibs' flop, Lee Johnson, who only lasted three months in the Highbury hot-seat. During that dismal run under the former Easter Road boss, the performances of Lawal were one of very few positives as the Fishermen won just six games in Johnson's 22-game tenure.
Charlie Adam was the third manager to try his luck, and it is under the former Blackpool, Liverpool and Stoke man that Lawal has really flourished. Adam redeployed Lawal in his familiar midfield role, which has really paid dividends with six goals and two assists to his name, leading his manager to suggest that “He’s got the right credentials to be a Celtic player.”
But will Lawal be ready to make that step-up next season?
A return to Paradise?
Celtic are currently blessed with a number of options in the midfield department, but things could change this summer. Paulo Bernardo could be heading back to Benfica with a permanent deal being floated but yet to be agreed, and the interest in Matt O'Riley is only going to heat up following another impressive season in the hoops.
In the defensive midfield role, Lawal would be up against Callum McGregor and Tomoki Iwata, who have both performed well in that position this season.
During his first tenure, however, Brendan Rodgers had Callum McGregor playing some of the best football of his career in a more advanced role, and that could open the door to more first-team opportunities for Lawal.
Whilst he wouldn't be a starter, Lawal could be a very solid rotation option who has shown the potential to grow into a first-team starter should he continue to progress on his current trajectory.
James McKenzie // @JamesWHMcKenzie