Celtic have a number of big calls to make this summer.
The 2024 summer transfer window officially opens on Friday and Celtic will be a busy team, both in terms of outgoings and incomings.
In some cases, fans are hoping that a player like Matt O’Riley stays on board, or if Kyogo Furuhashi leaves, then more than one striker will need to be added, especially with Adan Idah returning to Norwich City after his loan spell.
But, in other cases, it’s a bit obvious that the Bhoys will add quality to their team and that Celtic will certainly bring in a number-one goalkeeper.
Joe Hart decided to retire at the end of the season after several years of success at Parkhead, including his final game in professional football being the Scottish Cup final win over Rangers.
Those are big shoes to fill, so what road does Brendan Rodgers go down? Does he bring in another experienced keeper? Or do they add a rising star to their ranks?
Whilst Caoimhin Kelleher is a player tipped for a possible move to Glasgow, another name has entered the picture and that’s Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka.
Peter Grant labelled the 35-year-old as a ‘quality’ keeper and how he did very well in between the sticks when he used to be his team’s number one before Nick Pope arrived.
Despite his age, Grant isn’t worried because he feels they ‘all look fantastically fit nowadays’ and he is pretty excited about something possibly happening here, as he told Go Radio.
Martin Dubravka at Celtic
“I thought he did really well, at first, at Newcastle,” said Grant. “Before Pope come in, if you remember. Before he came in, I was surprised because he was doing ever so well.
“That proved to be a fantastic signing for them because Pope was brilliant. Then Dubravka went to Manchester United and played a couple of games last season, then he came back to Newcastle because Pope got injured and played again for them.
“He is 35, but yet again, nowadays, they all look fantastically fit. It shows the quality when the likes of Manchester United go looking for you as well. That’s why I am disappointed, with the likes of Joe Hart and even at his age, he still looks in fantastic shape. All these guys can continue nowadays because they work completely differently. He is a quality goalkeeper. Depends on what the cost is. All these things because there are a few goalkeepers who are getting mentioned now.”
Martin Dubravka’s future at Newcastle United
Yes, Dubravka played 23 Premier League games this term, but that was because of Pope’s injury.
At the start, the Slovakia international struggled and made mistakes, before his form picked up and he looked pretty strong in goal.
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But he has 12 months left on his contract and you can only see one outcome and that’s an exit this summer.
Pope is the number one, and if it isn’t him, then Burnley’s James Trafford could be the one to replace him because Newcastle are in talks to sign him this summer.
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