Celtic fans were split down the middle over the signing of Dorus de Vries.
The 35-year-old arrived in Glasgow this morning for his medical turning attention on his role at Celtic. Will he be back-up to Craig Gordon or challenge for the gloves?
Unlike most of his team-mates the form of the Celtic keeper has nosedived since the start of the season- there has been no Brendan factor or bounce for Gordon.Â
The wobbles really kicked in away to Astana when he displayed the good, the bad and the scary. The good was a brilliant full length stretch to push the ball away shortly after Astana had taken the lead, the bad was not getting close to the six yard box header that put Astana ahead while there were also a couple of concerning second half lapses and fumbles.
The return leg produced a comic cut error that gave Astana their equaliser while even in a 5-0 stroll against Motherwell Gordon managed to look unconmfortable.
With Logan Bailly out injured and untried Leo Fason as back-up a new keeper was a priority ahead of the matches with Hapoel Beer Sheva.
Whether de Vries is a back-up or first choice remains to be seen CLICK HERE to view the gallery of supporter opinions
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@videocelts if gordon gets injured we are screwed so good deal for me, he obviously doesn’t rate fasan so makes sence
— Sean Mclaughlin (@seanmac76) August 12, 2016
@Eddiek62 @videocelts may be both keepers split lge/CL/cup duties ie bravo & ter stegen at barca
— Ryan | Connell™ (@RyanConnell84) August 12, 2016
@videocelts How many back up goalies do we need ? Take it Bailly is still here
— Herewego10inarow (@JanKubis) August 12, 2016
The exact nature of Logan Bailly’s injury is unclear but with the opportunity to bring in a former favourite the decision was straightforward for Rodgers.
Hopefully a demanding Champions League group phase will bring create a real need for rotation although the demands of domestic football for a Celtic keeper generally revolve around concentration.
Having an untried back-up in Fasan is dangerous, a time served deputy is essential to compete on all fronts.
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@videocelts not again fecksake get off the goalie`s back, think it`s a Celtic thing blame the goalie what about men in front not Efe others
— John Fallon (@sligotim) August 12, 2016
@videocelts Gordon is a great shot-stopper but fails to command his area. I think de Vries will be here to play
— Eddie Keane (@Eddiek62) August 12, 2016
@videocelts He’ll be number one. Player of the year and player’s player. 35 still no age for a keeper. I trust Brendan’s judgement totally.
— Mick Blinko (@MickBlinko) August 12, 2016
When it comes to keeper’s there is only one opinion that I’ll listen to, the original Holy Goalie and Blantyre’s finest.
Despite his advancing years the big yn is on the ball for all matters Celtic and most other matters as well, but don’t ask him about the Lanarkshire refereeing fraternity!
As he points out playing behind a bombscare doesn’t do much for a keepers confidence- a settled back four or back three would do no harm at all. After that it’s upto Fallon’s successor to pick up three domestic medals in a month #justlikespring69.
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@videocelts Nothing worse than a keeper who knows he’ll play regardless of performance. This needs to be a signing that will challenge him.
— Paul Tweedie (@paultvveedie) August 12, 2016
@videocelts need younger challenger. What’s wrong with Bailly?
— j bkmn (@celtic_won) August 12, 2016
@videocelts we don’t need a challenger, we need a new number 1
— John Smith (@jsmith10013) August 12, 2016
Another mixed bag of opinions facing up to the goalkeeper dimemma, it’s not so easy to have competition between the posts as it is elsewhere in a team.
It’s very rare to have two similar quality keepers at the same time, there always has to be a number one and his back up is generally going to look for first team football elsewhere.
The Lucasz Zaluska situation summed things up, two seasons as back up keeper is plenty of time then it’s move on and bring in another challenger.
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@videocelts should be challenging, everyone should be challenged for the starting position in the team.
— scott macrae (@scottybhoy06) August 12, 2016
@davbhoy7 @videocelts unwanted pressure. Gould form dropped when brought in Douglas. Then Douglas with Broto/Hedman. Boruc with Zaluska
— Paul A Hamill (@paulhamill88) August 12, 2016
Once we get a settled back line Gordon will be fine, the save he pulled off in Astana when 1-0 down was world class! https://t.co/OXVcNYXjHG
— Mr Henrik67 (@davbhoy7) August 12, 2016
In summary there is no summary except supporters want to see the best of the best, a back up like Javier Broto is preferable over scaredy Magnus Hedman.
Just over a decade ago Artur Boruc replaced David Marshall and the young keeper never got another look in- both players have recently excelled in the English Premier League.
In Brendan we trust. So far it looks like the new manager is very tuned in, thinking along the lines of supporters and reacting to what is happening on the park without cross referecing his powerpoint- let the games begin!