Osaze Urhoghide Nigeria on His Mind

Having been born in Netherlands and lived in England, Osaze Urhoghide is eligible to play for the two European nations. He has instead, opted to play for Nigeria, where both parents originated from

Glasgow Celtic centre-back Osaze Urhoghide has revealed that he would be honoured to play international football for three-time African champions, Nigeria.

He was born in the Netherlands to Nigerian parents 21 years ago and is also eligible for England having lived in the country for roughly 15 years.

Of all the countries Urhoghide qualifies to represent, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made the first step to cap him by inviting him to Nigeria U-23 camp before the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya in 2019.

In a question and answer session with his fans, the centre-half was asked if he would play for Nigeria and he replied: “Personally, it would be an honour to play for Nigeria. International football is something that I’m working towards and hopefully in the near future I can play for them.

“I’ve got some options, Nigeria, Netherlands, England as well so there are some options so I’m working towards that.
“It is one of my goals as well so hopefully in the near future I’ll achieve it.”

Urhoghide admits to being a boyhood Chelsea fan because his Nigerian father supports the Stamford Bridge outfit. “Growing up I’ve always supported Chelsea. I lived in West London, my dad supports Chelsea.
“I’m not sure why I chose to pick Chelsea but probably because my dad supported them but the teams I’ve stayed with as well, supported them being with the highs and lows but it’s always been Chelsea.”

Since his celebrated move to Celtic from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer transfer window, Urhoghide has made one competitive appearance for the Hoops and it was for their B team in a SPFL Trust Trophy clash against Morton on September 4.
The 20-year-old defender who was out of contract and chose to join new manager Ange Postecoglou as the first signing of the Greek-Australian’s era after he took over in June.

Netherlands-born Urhoghide began his professional career with AFC Wimbledon in 2018, before he joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2019 and made 19 appearances over two seasons for the championship side.
Postecoglou said of Urhoghide’s signing: “It’s great. He’s someone that the club’s been tracking for a while and when I came on board, I managed to have a meeting with him and he’s a good young man, he’s very ambitious.

“He’s just beginning his football career but he shows all the attributes on and off the field to want to become a top player, so it’s great to get him here. He can play a couple of positions at the back and, most importantly, he’s really keen to learn and develop and I think this will be a great environment for him.

“He’s a modern defender. He’s good athletically, he’s mobile, he’s quick and he wants to get on the ball. He can play a couple of different positions, and from our perspective, and the way we want to play our football, there are certain things I look for in players irrespective of age, and he’s got some really good attributes to be a top defender.

“The most important thing is, he’s got a real desire to reach the very top. He’s excited about joining the club, which is important to me because that’s the first thing I want to hear from players, that they’re really keen to join us.”
When Urhoghide arrived at Parkhead earlier in the summer, there was a belief that he could end up playing a big part in Postecoglou’s side this season. At the time, the likes of Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Watford were also believed to have been interested in his signature.

But a few months on and it does feel like Urhoghide will need some time to adjust to his new surroundings before making an impact in the first-team picture. While the 21-year-old had made several appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last season, he is yet to make his competitive debut for the Glasgow giants.

Having arrived at a club somewhat limited in defensive options, particularly after the exit of Kris Ajer to Brentford, the 21-year-old centre-half signed from Sheffield Wednesday would have been forgiven for thinking a chance for a first team shirt would come quicker than he thought. Instead Urhoghide knows chances will be limited as when they do arrive, he’ll have to hit the ground running.

Carter Vickers joined the defensive ranks already supplemented by the signing of Swedish International defender Carl Starfelt and with Academy graduate Stephen Welsh developing by the game. Dane Murray has also had promising first team involvement and Nir Bitton is always thereabouts. Meanwhile, baring some pre-season exposure, Urhoghide has had to bid his time as a member of the odd matchday squad but not yet making the team.

When Urhoghide signed on there were a great deal of disappointed Sheffield Wednesday fans making their views known. No-one was saying Osaze was the finished article but all seemed certain Celtic had signed a player of some potential. ‘Raw’ seemed the adjective used the most and one online scout described him as a player with a lot to work on but a lot to work with. And on early pre-season performances that description rang true.

Urhoghide by his own admittance likes a tackle, and he seemed to enjoy getting up close and personal with his opponents, this approach can be beneficial of course but so is choosing when to do so. On occasions the player looked easily turned, when standing half a yard off may have made him harder to get past, meanwhile on the ball control and distribution certainly smacked of the rawness the Wednesday fans had described.

Yet there is a strong physical and imposing nature to Urhoghide, there also appears a high level of confidence and an inner belief he has what it takes. In truth you can coach the passing, positioning and timing into players, and Postecoglou has a history of doing just that, but those other intangibles you don’t get from a coaching session, those are the elements a player brings naturally and once the other side of the game is up to speed you can have one hell of a player on your hands if the pieces fall into place.

Urhoghide will know he has a fight on his hands at Celtic, but as a player released by AFC Wimbledon and one who not only gained a contract at a club the size of Sheffield Wednesday but forced his way into the team and the hearts of the supporters, there is a determined individual in the Celtic ranks and one it appears who is willing to put in the graft.
Osaze also brings a versatility with an ability to play centrally and at full back.

There is no doubting Urhoghide will be aware he has a fight on his hands to claim a first team spot and the late signing of Carter Vickers probably emphasised that very point to the youngster, but if he realises he is in the right environment to learn, doesn’t believe he simply made it in the game by getting a contract at Celtic, and allies those natural talents to improvements in his technical proficiency Urhoghide can force his way into contention. For now, however patience is likely to be required.