Ross Doohan is set to return to Celtic this summer as part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans for next season.
The Celtic manager decided to allow Scott Bain to leave Parkhead to pursue his career elsewhere and, in turn, focus on bringing Doohan back to the club.
Despite not making an appearance for Celtic, Doohan was called up to the Scotland squad as cover for the injured duo Angus Gunn and Robbie McCrorie after young Cieran Sickler suffered a difficult Hampden debut against Iceland.
After playing the full 90 minutes in Scotland’s 4-0 win over Liechtenstein, the national media seemed impressed by Doohan’s senior international debut.
Ross Doohan ‘commanded’ his Scotland debut as Celtic move beckons
Doohan is set to return to Celtic this summer. The 27-year-old didn’t make a single appearance for the Parkhead club in his first spell but has already got his first Scotland cap before his Paradise move.
And it appears that the Scottish national media are pleased with what they have seen.
The Scotsman: “Won’t have an easier afternoon, with the Aberdeen stopper not forced into a save all evening. Touched the ball just 16 times. A proud moment for him nonetheless.”
Edinburgh News: “Enjoyed a quiet debut and kept a clean sheet. Commanded his backline well and handling was efficient. Rarely tested.”
Daily Mail: “Having cut short his holiday to play, the debutant was hardly any busier here. Didn’t have a save to make.”
Daily Record: “The keeper is in-between clubs but it was perfect timing for his first Scotland start. The returning Celtic keeper looked composed and had an easy night.”
What the pundits have said about Ross Doohan’s Celtic return
Celtic supporters know that Kasper Schmeichel is the Hoops’ number one with Viljami Sinisalo the Parkhead back-up goalkeeper.
So Doohan is likely to be third in line for that coveted Celtic starting spot. And that is what the pundits clearly think.
Stephen McGinn said of Doohan, “Well, with Celtic, Ross Doohan is linked with Celtic, Lyle Cameron is already signed with Rangers.
“I don’t mean this in any sort of disrespectful way, but you feel as if the clubs are looking at them because of the European stuff in terms of needing a certain amount of homegrown players.
“So they’re having to, if people are moving on or likely wanting to move on for games, they’re having to have a certain amount of Scottish players.”
Celtic critic Hugh Keevins labelled the incoming goalkeeper’s signing as ‘interesting’ and said, “I think he (Sinisalo) has shown enough to signal the fact that he should be at Celtic next season.
“Ross Doohan, even though he was at Celtic with you (Scott Allan), in the past, apparently, Celtic are interested in bringing him back. Interesting times.”
Doohan will know exactly what his role will be when he comes back to Celtic Park so it really is up to him to convince Brendan Rodgers that when Kasper Schmeichel finally retires, he has what it takes to fill the Dane’s big gloves ahead of Sinisalo.
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