Celtic keeper deal is called off

Sturm Graz are reported to have pulled out of a loan move for Celtic goalkeeper Ben Siegrist.

The former Dundee United keeper joined Celtic as a free agent in the summer of 2022 but has only made two League Cup appearances since the switch and is now third choice behind Joe Hart and Scott Bain.

It is difficult to see how Siegrist’s status can change this season but with a contract running until May 2026 he could decide to sit tight unless the money on offer elsewhere is close to matching his terms at Celtic.

Young Celts Tobi Oluwayemi and Matthew Anderson are currently on loan at Austrian Second Division side Admira Wacker, in the Daily Record transfer specialist Scott Burns reports:

Celtic keeper Benjamin Siegrist has seen a move to Sturm Graz collapse.

The Austrians had been working on the deal for a month but have now pulled the plug. A loan switch had all but been agreed with Sturm but they have now decided to go down another route, with Liverpool keeper Vitezlav Jaros thought to be a live option.

Austrian sources close to Sturm Graz confirmed that a deal for the Swiss star was pending but is now off and he will remain at Celtic.

Sturm Graz are no stranger to the Scottish market having already raided Motherwell to sign Max Johnston last summer. It now remains to be seen if there is further interest in Siegrist before the January window closes.

The 31-year-old has found first-team football had to come by at Celtic, despite being one of the top keepers in the Premiership when he made the move from Dundee United in 2022.

After 18 months at Celtic without a single minute of play in the SPFL Siegrist is at a delicate point in his career.

There are probably a number of clubs that could offer him the prospect of first team football but turning 32 at the end of this month his football pay days are running out.

Bain was signed by Rodgers first time around and is the preferred back-up to Hart, making two appearance this season, away to Livingston in September when Hart was sent off and the following week at Motherwell when the former England keeper was suspended.

CLICK HERE for Siegrist Transfermarkt profile.