Chris Sutton is adamant that Celtic have to sign a better goalkeeper, and believes that the Southampton man could be the ideal target.
Chris Sutton has told the Daily Record that Celtic’s Champions League qualifying exit highlighted the Hoops’ need to sign a better goalkeeper before the transfer window closes, with the pundit recommending a move for Southampton’s Fraser Forster.
Scott Bain’s form has been called into question, and he will be disappointed with his performance against Cluj at Parkhead on Tuesday night. He could have done little about a couple of the goals, but he unquestionably made an error for the Romanian side’s third.
With Craig Gordon enduring an underwhelming run between the sticks before he was replaced by Bain, Sutton has insisted that Celtic need to go out and get a new stopper from elsewhere – and suggested that a familiar face could be the ideal target for the Bhoys.
“Scott Bain’s goalkeeping for the third goal proved what I’ve been saying for ages. Celtic need a better keeper and Fraser Forster is available. The sight of Bain kicking a free-kick away from 30 yards in the first half helped to unsettle everyone,” he told the Daily Record.
Forster looks to have little chance of resurrecting his career at St Mary’s while Ralph Hasenhuttl is in charge, with both Angus Gunn and Alex McCarthy ahead of the Englishman in the pecking order on the south coast.
He had initially looked to be a fantastic signing after Southampton paid Celtic £10 million in 2014 (fee reported by the Guardian). But his form and confidence seemed to desert him in the last couple of years, leaving him falling to third choice in Hasenhuttl’s squad.
Some Saints fans may argue that the quality of the defence that Forster had in front of him during his first couple of years at the club helped protect his weaknesses. But Celtic supporters know how good the goalkeeper can actually be.
If he is able to recapture his best form, it could be a great move for all parties with the Saints offloading a big earner from the wage bill, Forster returning to a place where he has enjoyed success and Celtic landing a goalkeeper who arguably has the potential to be a lot better than Bain.
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