The Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper was not involved in the Republic of Ireland’s draw at Celtic Park.
Keiren Westwood, the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, has told the Irish Independent he would ‘love to have played’ in Scott Brown’s Celtic testimonial on Sunday.
An Ireland XI drew 2-2 with Brown’s Bhoys at Celtic Park – one of three national team fixtures Westwood will miss as he recovers from an injury which has sidelined the 33-year-old since December.
Westwood is said to have attracted interest from Celtic during the January (and ahead of the summer) transfer window, and admitted that every member of Ireland’s team ‘will have a soft spot’ for Brendan Rodgers’ team.
Discussing his disappointment at missing out in Glasgow, the Wednesday man told the Irish Independent: “I would love to have played at Celtic today. I know it’s only a testimonial but every player in that squad will have a soft spot for Celtic, always look out for their result and want them to win the league, the cups and qualify and do well in the Champions League, so I am gutted to miss that one.
“Anyone would want to play in Paris (against France) and end the season in Dublin (against the United States) in front of a good crowd.”
Westwood’s absence has provided Hillsborough understudies Joe Wildsmith and Cameron Dawson with a chance to impress in his absence, and the pair’s form could leave the former Sunderland man’s future in doubt.
Under normal circumstances, Sheffield Wednesday would be loathed to lose a player of Westwood’s experience and quality, although the Mancunian – who is set to enter the final year of a substantial contract – appears to have accepted he could be among those moved on.
On a difficult campaign for the pre-season promotion hopefuls, he added: “The core of the team that got us to the play-off semi-finals and then the final in successive seasons was in the treatment room this season – myself, Fernando Forestieri, Gary Hooper, Steven Fletcher, Barry Bannan, Tom Lees, Kieran Lee all out for long periods. If that team had been out there we would comfortably be in the top six, I have no doubts about that.
“It will probably be a summer of speculation for a few of us because it’s well known that the club is looking to offload some high earners, so we will see what happens. It will take care of itself but I just want to come back fully fit and ready to go for next season.”
Whether Celtic will act on their alleged interest in Westwood remains to be seen, especially after their permanent signing of another goalkeeper, Scott Bain, this month.
Will Keiren Westwood leave Sheffield Wednesday this summer?
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