Fraser Forster is open to converting his loan move to Celtic into a permanent arrangement.
The keeper moved from Southampton back to Celtic in August and was instantly installed as first choice keeper and responded with a string of outstanding performances.
Last week the contrast could hardly have been greater as Forster attracted international praise for his display against Lazio 24 hours before his parent club were humiliated live on telly when Leicester scored nine times without reply at St Mary’s.
Forster has signed four times for Celtic, all of them with Neil Lennon in charge, and is open to signing up for a fifth spell next summer, on loan or on a permanent basis.
Discussing the prospect of a permanent move he told The Sun:
It’s so early in the season, but for me, I’d never ever say no to Celtic. It’s just the relationship I have with everyone here — the fans, people within the club and the coaching staff.
That was the big thing for me in the summer when I had to get back out and get back playing. I wanted to go somewhere where I felt wanted. I’ve not had that for a long time. I had some tough times there, training for the Under-23s and being away from the first team.
To come back to a club like this is fantastic, so I’d never say no to this club but it’s early doors and a lot of it is out of my hands. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Under star spotter Ross Wilson Forster slipped to third choice at Southampton but with a new Director of Football about to be appointed that situation could change.
Loan players are in a difficult position where they have to talk up the club they are at without causing offence at their parent side.
Lennon clearly has a special formula to get the best out of Forster but with two years left on a contract that he signed as an England internationalist in 2015 some form of wages compromise as well as a transfer fee would be needed before a permanent move could be completed.
Ironically the more impressive Forster performs the more likely he is to regain his No 1 status at Southampton or to attract an offer from a club in need of a first choice keeper.
