Neil Lennon is confident of securing new deals for Gary Hooper and Fraser Forster.
The two Englishmen played major roles in Celtic’s SPL success and have attracted attention from elsewhere.
Forster is the most pressing concern for Lennon with the goalkeeper set to return to Newcastle at the end of his second season on loan to Celtic.
Getting the keeper to sign a permanent deal is Lennon’s main transfer priority with a bumper new deal being lined up to put Hooper on a par with the top earners at the club.
The former Scunthorpe striker has scored 51 times in two seasons for Celtic with no one more appreciative of his ability than Lennon.
“It was fitting for Gary to end the season with five goals against Hearts,” the Celtic boss said. “He’s been magnificent and is a really intelligent footballer.
“Sometimes he’s carried the club and that’s a huge responsibility for someone so young- being the main man in the forward area.
“He’s a quiet boy off the field, quite shy but on the field he’s immense. I hear that he wants to stay and that’s very pleasing because no doubt people in England and elsewhere will have an eye on him.
“I hope to speak to his representatives soon and get something nailed down.”
Turning to Forster Lennon revealed: “I had a chat with him and he’s very very happy here. It’s a question of trying to get him and his representative in and trying to thrash something out.
“He’s our main priority, he’s had a fabulous couple of years here, he’s grown and grown to such a point that not many people talk about Artur Boruc who was probably the best goalkeeper here for 30 years.”
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I still rather have boruc back again, outstanding goalie. HH
I don’t buy Forster being happy with us. I think he wants away and if so, get him out fast and replace him.
I do not rate him at all.sorry.
i’d take boruc back over forster in a heartbeat.
there is no real comparison between the 2. boruc is a far superior keeper.
Boruc is a legend but I’d be happy to keep Forster provided he wants to be at Celtic (I’m not convinced he does). Can’t think of any obvious mistakes he made this season.
Forster fits the current policy of buy young and look to sell for a profit further down the line. Not sure the board would be willing to go after Boruc when there will be no sell-on value. Then again if they get him on a free they’d save 2m on Forster.
Just hope it is sorted out ASAP. Hope we have everything in place before CL qualifiers for a change.
Although Artur is a legend in Celtic fans eyes he did let himself and us down last year of his contract not near fit enough and pilled on the weight.
Boruc was superb when he first arrived, but he became lazy and cost us goals….he had his chance and blew it. I doubt he could ever recover to be the same keeper again, or would simply slip back into the old routine. Not the biggest fan of Forster, if he agrees to sign fine but any delay and I’d quickly move on to sign another target…we should always have alternatives and there are sure to be other quality keepers available.
Forster still has much to prove, postioning, taking charge of his area, dealing with cross balls…..I’m certain we could find better if required.
Don’t waste time hanging around like we did with Sol Campbell etc….sign or step aside..not like he is be chased by the real big guns down south.
I agree. Forster could have signed months ago, but ‘his agent was being elusive’. Now Gordon, a long term Celtic target, is also available, Forster is in a weaker position.
I rate Gordon more highly than Forster, but Forster is a good keeper as well, doesn’t have any fitness worries and is settled in the team. Forster is annoying people with his indecision though, so he needs to ‘sort out the situation with his agent’ or GT.
The league is over now, so there is no need to pretend.
Totally agree mate love Artur but he lost his motivation. Seemingly Artur said we loved him so much he could do anything and not get criticized.
I would happily take Craig Gordon over Fraser Forster. Big Forster is a good shot stopper but that’s about it. Gordon is a good shot stopper, has unbelievable reflexes (maybe not anymore if he’s not been playing), can come out and catch the ball and will command his area. Got to say though, Forster did look like a keeper last season and compared to his first season (couldn’t believe he was at our club) he improved dramatically.
Lenny is kidding himself on Boruc in miles better than Froster.Forster’s agent is trying to get him a deal at West Hamif they go up.
Simple… either Forster wants in or he wants out. The pride is all about wearing the jersey, not wanting away to count the cash. You have to want to play for Celtic, not the club wanting you to play for the club.