Scottish Premiership champions Celtic reportedly sent scouts to watch Newcastle United’s young Premier League goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on Friday.
Craig Gordon is still Celtic’s number one but, at the age of 35, it is clear that he cannot go on forever. So it makes sense that Brendan Rodgers and co would be planning for life after their veteran goalkeeper.
Celtic signed Scott Bain on a permanent basis in the summer after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Parkhead from Dundee, winning the Scottish Premiership title and impressing particularly in a 3-2 win away at Rangers on his debut.
And according to the Chronicle, Celtic have since sent scouts to watch Newcastle United’s highly-rated shot-stopper Freddie Woodman – who they tried to sign in January before he joined Aberdeen on loan instead.
Woodman, who won the U20 World Cup with England in 2017 after saving a penalty in the final against Venezuela, is due to become a free agent next year with his contract set to expire.
And the report states that Celtic watched him, and fellow Newcastle starlet Sean Longstaff, during an U23 clash against Southampton on Friday night.
Woodman, at the age of just 21, would be a long-term option for Celtic between the sticks and could represent a future successor Gordon, even if he would have to be patient and wait for his chance.
With fellow veteran Dorus de Vries set to leave in 2019 and Gordon’s contract running until 2020, now is perhaps the right time to plan ahead. Woodman and Bain could keep Celtic’s goal secure for years to come.
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