Kevin Kyle hammers Celtic youngster Armstrong Okoflex after Monday cameo role

Published on January 13, 2021

Kevin Kyle has criticised the performance of Celtic teenager Armstrong Okoflex on Open Goal’s Keeping The Ball On The Ground on Tuesday after the 18-year-old made his senior Hoops debut during Monday’s 1-1 draw with Hibernian.

Celtic fielded a much-weakened side on Monday as 14 players forced to self-isolate along with manager Neil Lennon and his assistant, John Kennedy. Okoflex, 18, was one of a number of young players to get a run out against Hibs.

Cameron Palmer, Stephen Welsh, Conor Hazard and Mikey Johnston all started – while Ewan Henderson, Karamoko Dembele and Okoflex all came off the bench. Okoflex was given half an hour by Lennon and touchline manager Gavin Strachan.

Rangers icon Kyle was asked about the teenager’s performance – who joined Celtic in the summer of 2018 from Arsenal’s youth academy. Kyle tore into the youngster, claiming he was “hopeless” and tied himself in knots.

“When he came on, he wasn’t bothered – he was hopeless. He’s had a couple of shinnies and he’s tied himself in knots and that was about it,” Kyle said, after discussing Celtic’s performance which sees them remain 21 points behind Rangers.

(Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)

TBR’s view – Harsh on Okoflex, only his debut

Yes, he might not have had the initial impact he or many Celtic fans might have been hoping for – but Ireland Under-19 star has only just got going. He has plenty of potential and perhaps a loan move would be beneficial.

One issue, for Okoflex, is that as per Transfermarkt, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Going off Kyle’s comments, you would ignore a new deal for the attacker – but he deserves a chance, regardless of his cameo role on Monday.