Parkinson heaps praise on loan star Connolly

20 Feb 2019 12:32
Published by: Daniel Almond

 

Everton loanee Callum Connoly scored his first goal for Bolton Wanderers to give his side a rare, and priceless, away win.

Following the 1-0 victory at Birmingham, manager Phil Parkinson praised the on-loan youngster

Connolly, who left Everton in January to join the Trotters until the end of the season, rose highest to head home a 71st-minute winner for Parkinson's side.

It was the 21-year-old defender's first goal for Bolton and the Wanderers boss has praised the determination shown to score, suggesting that he risked a head injury to reach the ball.

He said: "I was pleased with the goal, because it typified the win really. Callum has shown real determination to get onto the end of a great set-play by Luke Murphy.

"When you look at the goal, he's been prepared to throw his head in where it hurts, and showed more determination to get to the ball than his marker."

Everton recalled him from Wigan Athletic late in the transfer window after Connolly fell out of form and favour with the Latics.

The youngster was also regularly slammed by the club's supporters on Twitter, before Everton brought him back to Merseyside.

But he looks to be enjoying his football again, with the Birmingham game being his third successive start for Bolton, who picked up a first away win since August.

Connolly made his debut for the Goodison Park side back in 2016, replacing Seamus Coleman in the 54th minute of a 1-1 draw with Southampton under Roberto Martinez.

 

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