News that Fraser Forster, Celtic and Newcastle haven’t agreed a deal isn’t the biggest surprise of the close season!
The keeper has been on loan at Celtic for each of the last two season’s but on neither occasion has he taken part in pre-season training or been available for the first competitive games of the season.
Few things are straight forward in the modern game but how difficult is it really to work out whether or not he will sign for us?
Either he wants to join Celtic and signs or he doesn’t and leaves. On the reports that I have read so far, his manager at Newcastle has been quoted as saying “At the moment, he is coming back to us,” followed by: “He will be with us until he finds a club and we find a fee that works for us”
That alone means that they would have to agree a fee with a potential new club then the player has to agree a deal with them. Given that part of his loan deal with us gave us the first option to buy him for £2m then we must assume that it’s the player who doesn’t want to sign as opposed to his club preventing it from happening.
Or perhaps, someone at Newcastle is trying to talk him out of a move to us so that they can gain more cash from him? I don’t know if that’s the case but if it is, then Fraser should be man enough to make the decision for himself. If not, then he’s not the kind of person we need at the club.
With Forster, it’s been a bit of a love/apathy relationship between him and our fans. At the start, myself and quite a few other fans were not convinced at all by him. Was he good enough to be our number one? Was he any better than our back ups Lucas Zaluska or Dominic Cervi?
Another Celtic website one described him as being like a ‘stoned giraffe’. Regardless of how much that was meant as a joke, it did sum up how some felt about him in the early days.
Move on to last season just to see how far he has come, my main memory is the penalty v Hearts that he saved. That was the match we were 1-0 up in and for reasons best be known to himself Calum Murray gave a very late penalty.
Was he going to be anywhere near as good as the Holy Goalie, Artur Boruc? For a guy of his age, it was always going to be a tough job for him but at the end of the day, if a player is good enough, they are old enough. Look at Victor Wanyama, he’s a similar age and walked in and looked good from the start.
I’ve said in the past that I don’t believe anyone is bigger than the club. At 6ft 7 Forster could physically be close to the size of the south stand but ultimately, we have had better keepers over the years and probably will have better keepers in the future.
So, if he does move away from Celtic, what do we lose out on? We lose out on a keeper who had 91 first team appearances and 50 clean sheets.
What should Celtic do with him next? At the end of the day, if a player doesn’t want to sign, then we can hardly force him to do so. Should we offer him a contract based on clean sheets and then insert say a £5m sell on clause, allowing him to move on and take a big bank balance with him?
Or should we say that he’s taking way to long and withdraw the contract offer?
One thing that remains is that we do need to get a goalkeeper. Cervi left us so Zaluska is the only keeper on the books with first team experience. Given the calibre of player that Neil Lennon has brought in, I would have to assume that he is very much aware of who we need to bring in and I also suspect that he will have a few targets in mind.
Overall, I think if he stays, then it’s a good thing but not really a disaster if he were to leave. Some supporters have said they would like to see Boruc back at the club, I’m really unsure on that.
Would he still be the same keeper or should we go for someone who fits in to the type of player that we have being buying recently, a younger guy who can be part of a long term plan?
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I think he will sign before the end of the week but it’s just a gut feeling.
I rate him as a decent stopper and would be happy to see him sign as IMO again, I think he’ll be worth a lot more than 2 million in a few years time so could be a good piece of business.
I wouldn’t say anything bad about him. But he isn’t worth all the carry on he has put us through. He has the potentail to become a good goalie. No more no less. Get plan B into gear and get this show on the road.
As I have said before, you either want to sign for the hoops or not. He has used us as a mechanisim to find a “premier” club. Un fortunately no one wants him (so far
There are other keeps out there, let this guy go he had his chance.
From a Newcastle fan (living in Scotland) I don’t believe he will sign for Celtic anymore, he’s just not getting the recognition in the SPL and with THE RANGERS/CLUB 12 (whatever)leaving the SPL there will be little challenge to Celtic and as a result the SPL will get even less attention prompting Fraser to reassess his options.
Celtic should instead go after Gordon from Sunderland as he’s still a good keeper who despite his injury problems has a few footballing years ahead of him.
he’s just not getting the recognition in the SPL and with THE RANGERS/CLUB 12 (whatever)leaving the SPL there will be little challenge to Celtic and as a result the SPL will get even less attention prompting Fraser to reassess his options.
From a Celtic fan living in Newcastle. I wish I had as much insight into your club and the football in the North East as you seem to have about Scottish football. The only increased exposure F F will get in England is the short term media attention that this story will produce. When the rumbling ceases, it is likely F F’s career will too. The EPL has more goalkeepers’ graves than Arlington Cemetery. Can I say to you that i find it extremely insulting of you to assess the SPL either now or in the future as you do. You have obviously feasted on the nonsense in the Scottish media and like all English fans (remember I live right in the midst of them) are chocked and buried in the fantasy that the Sky bubble of the EPL is the greatest thing in the football world. I guess that is why one of the poorest Italian teams in many years really struggled and had a very lucky break to win the recent game. So good luck Fraser, enjoy your high level exposure with such world famous clubs as West Ham, Wigan, Southampton or Newcastle as the club you have turned down slip into oblivion on the world and European stage. I have never, ever wanted players at Celtic who are not committed to the club. Scotland has already suffered enough from the self-interest of footballers who only played for the money. We have witnessed the disease of greed gradually destroy and kill one club in Glasgow and nearly destroy Scottish football. No more thank you and I hope you mark my words when the Sky bubble not just bursts but explodes, because the greed of the EPL puts Scotland’s sins way, way in the shadows.
Hail, hail
Mate I didnt mean to offend Celtic or the SPL in any way. I don’t rely on the media belitlling the teams or league in any way in fact I largely ignore it all, I have many friends who support various clubs within Scotland and I largely get my information from them.
You may not be of the opinion that the EPL is the best footballing league in the world but I challenge anyone to suggest a league that combines as many different nations with the skill and flair of decades of history, and to suggest that the league is overrated purely because England was bested by a ‘poor Italian side’ is a ridiculous statement as a league isn’t defined by the strength of the national team as the majority of the best teams rely on foreign influence.
I do however agree that moving to another PL club may not be the answer for FF and maybe he just needs to stay at Newcastle and fight for a place. When the SKY bubble bursts however another network will step-up such is the way with football and in particular the PL.
I do apologise for my ‘over-reaction’ but hopefully you now appreciate what it can be like for a Scotsman in the midst of English supporters (club, I mean).
Can I just say that I did not imply that the EPL was poor because of the Italian result. That reference was more to highlight the superior attitude of many supporters that is often especially expressed when England play. Yes, at the present time the EPL does have the greatest variety of footballers but (and here I am trying to be objective) I am not convinced that it provides the greatest footballing entertainment.
While I agree with you wholeheartedly that there always seems to be an investor on the sidelines waiting for an opportunity, I firmly believe that when (and I do not believe ‘if’) the Sky bubble bursts that the new media mogul will pay anywhere near as high a price. I hope you agree that for the sake of football integrity this would be no bad thing.
Only then would there be a real level playing field for all. In spite of my outburst, I have sympathy for the Newcastles, Sunderlands and Middlesbourghs. They have two distinct disadvantages. First of all they are based in the largely ignored North East and secondly they are competing, not simply with other clubs, but with the inordinate money of choosy investors.
Teams not on their lists are doomed to pick up the scraps if not to exist in purely survival mode. Finally, and you will be most relieved at that no doubt, anger and antagonism has eaten away at Scottish football for decades and has almost destroyed it. I have never nor ever will want part of it.
I hope all supporters can express opinions and even ‘argue’ on occasion but hopefully that does not lead to animosity.
I leave you, to lay my head peacefully to rest, therefore, in the sincere hope that we part as friends.
H H
“Pensioner Bhoy
I leave you, to lay my head peacefully to rest, therefore, in the sincere hope that we part as friends.”
All good mate.
Judging by what they’re saying on those lovely Newcastle websites, FF is not coming back. He has gone for good.
The big question now is are the board going to spend the money to get someone who’s better, while at the same time strengthening our squad for Europe? Or are we just going to try and muddle through?
We dont have ragers to worry about next season, but, personally, I think we need to strenthen the squad anyway, so we can make an impact in Europe- even if we only play in the EL. Therefore, I just hope the board buy NL the players they promised him, and I also hope they remember that having a top keeper’s an essential in Europe, not a luxury.
i dont want a keeper that dosent want to play for the shirt get bourc back he said he would jump at the chance to play for us he loves the club and the fans love him get it sort and qick need to have a strong team for champions leauge we need to do beter this year come on celtic dig deep and bring in some players as well
he,s messed us about for to long,this shows no commitment to CELTIC,go for someone else!
I’m a Newcastle fan and come in peace.
With the status of Rangers at the moment, it could be that Fraser is wondering what’s in store for the SPL – that’s probably what is delaying his signing.
I have no wish to direct my comments to Andymag to you but really!
“With the status of Rangers at the moment, it could be that Fraser is wondering what’s in store for the SPL – that’s probably what is delaying his signing.”
Today’s footballers and particularly English footballers wonder about one thing and one thing only – kjing, kjing. How much?
H H
It is simple. It is not a case of talking him into accepting a deal. You either want to wear the Celtic shirt or get out. Move on, get someone who is Celtic through and through.
give the boy time, it’s a big decision. he’s earned his contract offer and he has the right to consider his options.
i’d love to see him stay, but if not then he has my best wishes.
Very simple & clearcut for me, If he wanted to sign he WOULD have signed at the end of last season. I believe he / his agent has been touting him around down south looking for better offers. As yet nothing, but if one does turn up he would want to go. As you state Joe, We have had better before and will again in future. Move on to someone else, Celtic do NOT need an indecisive keeper – we are not a training / finishing school.
A few decent saves, a few howlers….nowhere near Boruc at his best…..Next – his loss BIG TIME.
Andymag Says: Re Gordon
Forgot to say that only a Geordie with an agenda would recommend a player from Sunderland who is coming out of a footballing resat home in a wheelchair. My friend, Celtic has the pull and “ITS OWN MONEY” to buy a class goalkeeper – without selling the club name. I only hope it is not another disillusioned Englishman.
H H
why attack andymag? he just voiced his opinion….
if he doesn’t rate the spl, he doesn’t rate it. no big deal.
As someone who has to put up with this superior than thou attitude, I too am only expressing an opinion. I can assure you I am not alone among Celtic supporters in the Newcastle are. We get from here more than most. Just have a squint at some of their sites. I am just a bit fed up of being put down. Maybe I just remember when Scottish footballers propped up their so incredible league. By the way, I am not attacking an individual, I am challenging an attitude.
H H
cracking big keeper but he knows the script, lenny should tell him, sign or do one and look elsewhere We cant be waiting about hoping he comes but i would think weve got something else lined up. hail hail
Joe Hart will be England keeper for the next ten years- Forster and anyone else can forget replacing Hart.
I don’t think that Forster will be a first choice at any Premiership club next season, Robert Green and Allan McGregor are available on frees.
Forster’s best move would be a three year deal at Celtic and hope for a top half Premiership deal in two years time.
He could of course pick up a fat salary as a Wigan or West Brom reserve and see his career plummet.
Forster is only doing exactly what every other professional would do (and so would we, if we were fortunate enough to be in his position.) He’s looking for the best financial deal which provides the best overall personal situation for him.
Forget all the the B.S. about team loyalty and playing for the jersey. Those days are long gone and are romantic notions which exist only in the mind of fans.
Today’s players really don’t care which team badge they kiss, as long as the money’s there, and they like the location.
That’s it, plain and simple!
And you can bet your bottom dollar that Lenny has had another ‘keeper in his sights since Forster first started shilly-shallying around.
its obvious Fraser isn’t that desperate to sign, or he would have by now. There are better keepers available on a free anyway, McGregor Gordon for instance maybe we can bring back the holy goalie.
I rate Forster’s shot stopping ability but he always made me nervous in other aspects of his game- his kicking, crosses into his box, and i don’t particularly rate him that highly, i think it wouldn’t take much scouting to find a better keeper.
I’d move on from him now in all honesty.
Give Zaluska his chance…He deserves it…
Agreed
I don’t particularly want him back. He’s a decent shot stopper but that’s about it. Never comes out to catch crosses and he doesn’t command/control his area enough. For a guy his massive size he doesn’t have much presence.
He has improved more with Celtic playing in a poorer league (this is a fact) than he has at any other club he has been at. However, if he does not want to sign now, or before the end of the week, then go for someone else. Same as Wanyama.
Celtic must demand 10 million pounds (not Euros) for Wanyama. He is a better player then others who have went for nearly double thanamount but unfortunately the EPL will not pay that amount of money for a Scottish based player. 10 million is fair.
If no club stumps up this sum then Wanyama stays put and helps Celtic get through to the group stages of the Champions League. Neil Lennon should say this to him. If they won’t meet out valuation now then prove to them how much you are worth by performing in Europe and you can go in January.
For me this would be a better option for Wanyama but he is after the cash. How many times have players went south too soon and lived to regret it. Danny Wilson left Rangers very quickly after a few good performances has it improved him?
Liam Miller was told by O’Neill he was making a mistake and his career was never the same.
For Celtic it is all about the Champions league. With Rangers gone the focus is on the group stages every year. Surely guys of between 20-25 want to play in Europe.
If they go to certain EPL clubs they will never get the opportunity to do so unless they move on to the bigger clubs and this does not always happen.