The Bhoys should have done more to sign the Newcastle United talent.
Freddie Woodman of Newcastle United
Celtic were rather unceremoniously dumped out of the Europa League last night, as Zenit St Petersburg comfortably overturned a 1-0 deficit from the first-leg with a 3-0 triumph in Russia.
The Bhoys lacked grot and imagination as the Russian side, who won the competition in its UEFA Cup form back in 2008, were simply too good from start till finish.
One player who found himself criticised after the game was Dorus De Vries. The back-up keeper, playing due to the injury suffered by Craig Gordon, should have kept out Zenit’s second goal. He was already fairly unpopular among the Celtic fans, but this display did not help matters.
Freddie Woodman of Newcastle United
His display highlights the mistake Celtic made by not bringing in Freddie Woodman on loan from Newcastle United on deadline day.
The England under-20 star was apparently of interest to Celtic, according to a report from the Scottish Daily Record. They claim Celtic tried to hijack Aberdeen’s move for the supremely talented shot-stopper.
Instead he ended up at Aberdeen and Celtic signed Scott Bain from Dundee instead.
Woodman, voted the best keeper at last summer’s triumphant Under-20 World cup campaign England, has put in two excellent performances at Aberdeen so far – after taking over from the injured Joe Lewis.
His performance v Hibernian last weekend was the only reason Aberdeen did not receive a pasting.
Dorus De Vries of Celtic waves to the crowd
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers would undoubtedly have been tempted to throw Woodman in as first-choice if he had secured the deal.
Missing out on Woodman has probably not cost Celtic a place in the Europa League, David De Gea could not have prevented defeat they were that poor last night.
But he would have surely been a better option than the ageing De Vries and the limited Bain.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
