Martin O’Neill has admitted that Celtic are looking to sign another goalkeeper.
Last season Vil Sinisalo took over from Kasper Schmeichel with the Dane announcing his retirement due to shoulder issues.
Sinisalo instantly brought authority and leadership to the Celtic defence during a testing run of fixtures at Stuttgart, Ibrox, Pittodrie and Ibrox again.
Ross Doohan stepped up to second choice ‘keeper but never played a minute of competitive football last season.
Goalkeeper isn’t the priority position to update but The Herald reports O’Neill saying:
We’re definitely looking for another goalkeeper. Whether it be a youngish fellow, same age as Sinisalo, or somebody a bit older, we’re definitely looking at it.
Because we’ve only got Sinisalo here at this minute and we’ve got Ross (Doohan).
Dinko Harkas of Las Palmas and Hertha Berlin ‘keeper Tjark Ernst over the last fortnight have been linked to Celtic without any real concrete details emerging.
O’NEILL FACES THEAGE OLD GOALKEEPING DILEMMA
A third goalkeeper would be desirable but getting the right type is very difficult.
A year ago Doohan was happy to return to Celtic after finishing the season second choice at Aberdeen. His signed up as a Scotland internationalist after getting a late call up to play against Lichtenstein.
Finding a quality keeper to come in as back up or to compete with Doohan won’t be easy.
Two years ago Sinisalo signed up as understudy to Schmeichel knowing that he was earmarked to take over from the Danish legend.
Celtic had been loosely linked with Angus Gunn but the Scotland ‘keeper has just signed for San Jose Earthquakes.
Two goalkeepers is generally fine but it only takes one injury to make that position look very vulnerable.
Scott Bain proved to be a reliable back up over seven seasons before deciding that he wanted regular playing time which he found at Falkirk.
Young ‘keeper Josh Clarke spent last season on loan at Partick Thistle but appears to be on the move with Thistle and Doncaster reported to be interested.
Next in line appears to be Aidan Rice who finished last season on loan at Dumbarton.
I reckon MON wants a No.1, Joe. Yes, Sinisalo did okay but not as good as you’re making out. Cross balls he flaps at, at times. And often messed up, ‘re Hibs & Hearts after splt. Not convincing in Motherwell 3-2 win either. Then Cup Final nearly lost a goal by not taking ownership of a ball that was his to shout for and clear. For me, MON has looked at these mistakes and feels he needs another keeper. Competition for places should apply all over the park, and our keeper position should be no different.
I’ll never give Sevco nor The dead ‘Rangers’ (deceased c.2012) any credit but in goalkeepers they’ve ALWAYS in ma time (46 years) as a Celtic supporter produced good ones…
Goalkeeper is a weakness position for Martin – Rab Douglas – etc…
It’s actually Martin’s only weak area of management to be honest !
I don’t profess to knowing anything specific about how the footy transfer business operates in the background,
but logically you’d expect a club like Celtic to always have several potential players / transfer targets identified for every first team position?
And, the transfer processes should be managed efficiently, whereby several enquiries / transactions [purchases and sales] can be managed simultaneously?
It just feels that when we should have several transactions on the go just now the club concentrates on one transaction at a time?
That might be unfair, but that’s just how it feels.
And, is that because everything does have to be approved by DD?
We needed swift action this summer, but frustratingly it’s just not happening – again.
A squad rebuild is not happening?
Editor: Expect a lot of rushed activity in the last week. Duran was first linked to Celtic on June 19, now it seems that three weeks later it is almost complete.