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If Celtic want Angus Gunn, does Scott Bain face difficult decision?

Brendan Rodgers, coach of Celtic looks on during a Celtic press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League match against Anderlecht at Le...
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Scottish Premiership champions Celtic were expected to sign Scott Bain on a free, but are now looking at Norwich City loanee Angus Gunn.

Angus Gunn of Norwich City looks on during the The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Chelsea at Carrow Road on January 6, 2018 in Norwich, England.

Angus Gunn is one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in English football. Gareth Southgate even handed the 22-year-old a shock call-up for England’s friendly clash against Brazil back in November.

The problem, however, is that the Norwich City loanee has a rather substantial barricade blocking his hopes of first-team football at parent club Manchester City. Pep Guardiola, after all, can field arguably the world’s best shot-stopper in Ederson Moraes.

So it is little surprise that the clubs are queuing up to offer Gunn a number one position next season. The Sun (18 March, page 60) claims that Stoke City want the son of Norwich legend Bryan to replace Jack Butland should he leave the Potteries this summer.

Norwich City's English goalkeeper Angus Gunn saves from a free kick during the FA Cup third round replay football match between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge in London on...

And, intriguingly, Celtic are also interested. The Hoops have a good relationship with City, bringing Patrick Roberts, Jason Denayer and John Guidetti to Parkhead on loan in recent years, and Gunn would be a sensible addition with the club concerned about the fitness of 35-year-old Craig Gordon.

But what does this mean for Scott Bain?

The 26-year-old moved to Celtic on loan from Dundee in January, and his superb debut performance in the 3-2 win at Rangers recently encouraged the Hoops to try to make his deal permanent when his contract expires this summer.

Scott Bain of Celtic is seen during the Rangers v Celtic Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium on March 11, 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland.

But, the Scottish Sun adds, he has offers too from Birmingham, Bristol City, Hearts and Hibernian.

And should Celtic bring in Gunn, this would perhaps serve to push Bain away from Parkhead in the summer. The uncapped Scot needs to establish himself as a regular number one and could find himself stuck on the bench again if the 22-year-old arrives to rival him in Glasgow.