Crewe Alexandra manager, Lee Bell was full of praise for Connor O’Riordan after it was announced that the defender would join Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday.
O’Riordan joins Blackburn on a four and a half year deal and is expected to be an integral part of the back line in years to come. Having greatly impressed at League Two level, the young defender is expected to continue to progress now in the Championship.
At just 20 years of age, O’Riordan has bundles of potential and will no doubt only improve for his spell at Ewood Park. He joins Rovers with the club sat in 17th and 11 points above the drop zone.
Although this season may have not gone to plan with the club, they are still expected to compete for a place in the mid-table come the end of the season. It does seem that manager Jon Dahl Tomasson is building for the future and the signing of O’Riordan perfectly exemplifies that.
The Irish youth international made 21 appearances in Crewe’s starting eleven as well as two off of the bench in League Two this season and plays with the confidence of a player with far more experience.
It is clear that the youngster also has the right attitude, and he could well thrive at Blackburn as a result.
Regarding that attitude, Crewe Alexandra boss Lee Bell was full of praise for his former defender in an interview on the club’s official website.
“There has been a lot of speculation about him since early December but he has been immaculate with his attitude.
“A lot of players would go another way but he got his head down and contributed massively to a successful period. He is an outstanding young man. His dedication and application are brilliant and his progress has been fantastic.
“Of course, I didn’t want him to leave from a football perspective. I want to keep this squad together for as long as we can and add good players to it along the way. But when an opportunity arises to go to the Championship, he has to take it. I’m delighted for him in terms of his career.”
“He has to establish himself at Blackburn and get himself in the team, and keep working hard to improve on the physical side with speed and power, because he is still young.
“I think he could go a long way in the game. It wouldn’t surprise me if he got a full international call-up soon, too.”
Writer’s View
Blackburn fans have all the reason to be even more excited given Bell’s words on their latest signing. Although he may not be a starter to begin with, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see the youngster as a staple in the back line in years to come.
Any hopes of success for the club have now sailed this season and Rovers should be looking ahead to the future at this point. They’ve got a great signing in the form of O’Riordan, and he should only get better.
Senior Editor
