The Dubliner earned rave reviews for his displays on loan to Fleetwood Town in the 2023/24 season, despite their relegation from League One, but he faced an uncertain future with a lack of clarity over whether he would be loaned out again by Celtic or added to the first-team squad. But Lawal performed well as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw with Ayr United.
“I really like Bosun, he’s a player who clearly has a lot of physical attributes,” Rodgers said.
“But what he has as well is a lot of football ability.
“You go out on loan, you can see he has that experience, that power and quality to break through, and we have seen that this evening. I am really pleased for him.
“Younger players who get that chance to come in and play, as well as developing their fitness, it’s shown they have the personality to come in and play for Celtic. And that’s always important for me with young players, that they have no fear and can go and show that.”
Lawal was promoted to the senior Republic of Ireland squad by John O’Shea in June and was an unused sub for the win over Hungary before he joined the Under-21 panel, and O’Shea is a big admirer of the former St Kevin’s player, who can play in midfield or defence.
“For a year or two now, he’s been looked at with high potential,” said O’Shea.
“When you look at him sometimes, he just looks a class player because he’s so comfortable in possession. He can drive past three or four players, he can stop attackers at ease.
“You can see why people think he can be a centre-back, and you can see why he’s going to be a driving force in midfield, too.
“It’s a fantastic option for Ireland going forward in terms of what he’s going to be. Most importantly, he’s going to be a very good player.”
O’Shea – who is awaiting clarity over his own future, with the FAI still not having named Stephen Kenny’s successor – added: “What Celtic do with him now, let’s wait and see.
“The key for Bosun, if he wants to be a centre midfielder in particular, is playing at a higher level, a more technical level and seeing how he can cope with moving the ball quickly having lots of bodies around him. If he does that, I think he can excel as well.
“He won’t have any issues in terms of having a very good career once he applies himself like he is doing at the minute.”