News that Celtic have made an approach for Trevor Carson suggests that Brendan Rodgers is looking for a back up keeper rather than a new number one following Craig Gordon’s injury.
Getting a top rated keeper in the final week of the January transfer window is highly unlikely but it’s something that the Celtic boss will return to in the summer.
With the transfer window closing at midnight on Wednesday it’ll be a game of poker as the hoops look at various options with the selling club hoping to maximise the fee without being left with an unhappy player on Thursday morning.
Goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods has a fantastic knowledge of keepers across the UK and will have a major say in who comes in to work alongside Dorus de Vries and Ross Doohan.
As well as traditional shot stopping ability whoever is signed will be expected to be very comfortable with the ball at his feet but that isn’t much of an issue for the current generation of keepers.
After last night’s match against Hearts it’ll be full steam ahead today with a frenzy of activity as the search for a new keeper turns into a signing.
SCOTT BAIN
Timing is everything with the highly rated Dundee keeper signing on loan for Hibs on January 1 after falling out with Neil McCann.
The 26-year-old was out of contract at Dens Park and has gone to Hibs on a deal until the end of the season when he will be a free agent.
Bain has proved himself consistently in the top flight since following Paul Hartley from Alloa, his pedigree was confirmed during two seasons as a teenager at Aberdeen.
A bid of £100,000 would be difficult for Dundee to resist to recall the loan. Ofir Marciano has returned to top form and Neil Lennon may have another back-up keeper in mind after the last couple of days.
JON MCLAUGHLIN
It’s not a co-incidence that Hearts’ form has picked up since bringing McLaughlin in from Burton Albion.
At the age of 30 he has great experience with almost 300 club appearances at Burton and Bradford City and was blameless in last night’s 3-1 defeat.
Like Bain he has signed a deal until the end of this season, an offer of £100,000 would be difficult for Hearts to resist unless they were prepared to hold on to an unhappy player.
He now knows the SPFL and could step straight into the Celtic side or keep Dorus de Vries on his toes.
DAVID MARSHALL
Probably feels that he has unfinished business at Celtic and would surely jump at a return to his first club.
He had an outstanding season in the EPL with Cardiff but got the wrong move when he joined Hull City at the start of last season.
With Nigel Adkins side deep in relegation trouble a back-up keeper on big money is a luxury that they could do without.
At 32 Marshall can do a lot better than being second choice to Allan McGregor- unless the former Rangers (IL) keeper became a very unlikely target for Celtic!