Crystal Palace make goalkeeper bid, would thrive at Celtic

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Celtic need a goalkeeper as Craig Gordon continues to feel the brunt of critics.

Celtic desperately need a goalkeeper ahead of their Europa League knockout stage tie against Zenit St. Petersburg, with Craig Gordon simply not good enough to be first choice on Parkhead.

The 35-year-old has been Brendan Rodgers’ first name on the team sheet since the former Liverpool and Swansea City manager move north of the border, except from a short spell at the start of his tenure that saw Dorus de Vries given a go.

But the Scotland international has come in for plenty of criticism from the likes of Chris Sutton and Stephen Craigan this season, after conceding a huge 18 goals in six Champions League outings this season.

That included Celtic’s 7-1 drubbing by Paris Saint-Germain, and with the challenge of Zenit less than a month away, Celtic need to address their most obvious weak spot after bringing centre-back Marvin Compper to Glasgow.

With funds slightly limited, Rodgers should look to sign a goalkeeper that could be available on the cheap this month and that should see him rival Premier League side Crystal Palace for Ipswich Town goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

The 30-year-old’s current deal is expected to run out in the summer, and Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre (Monday. 11:58am) claimed that Palace had enquired over the availability of the Polish stopper.

Palace are yet to agree a fee with Ipswich and that gives Celtic the time necessary to prepare bid of their own and steal in to land the former Southampton star on a free ahead of Roy Hodson’s side.

Ipswich have an option to prolong Bialkowski’s contract beyond the summer, but could be tempted into letting him go if any interested parties can make an offer worth selling him this month.

Celtic’s coffers, freshly rejuvenated from their participation in the Champions League, will certainly face no challenge in being able to tempt Ipswich. Signing the Pole will be a huge coup for the Bhoys, and could see Bialkowski shine so much that he becomes Celtic’s new Artur Boruc.