New Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster’s international career isn’t on his mind as it stands.
Forster has been capped six times by England in the past. However, his last game for his country came over three years ago. He has also never played a competitive game for his country either, despite traveling to the World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016 as a back-up goalkeeper.
However, Forster did manage his first-ever England cap whilst with Celtic. He made his debut in a 2-0 defeat at home to Chile. At that point, Forster was playing in the Champions League at Parkhead, and was breaking domestic records at the club.
But, when asked at his press conference today about his international future, Forster hinted that he isn’t focusing on it anytime soon. Speaking on Celtic TV, here’s what the England international had to say:
“I’ve no idea (what the Celtic move will do for his international prospects). Obviously, with the year I had last year, I’m just taking it week-by-week, game-by-game. I’m just enjoying it and getting back playing. That’s what it’s all about for me.
“I just want to come, enjoy my football again, get playing. I’ll do everything in training and around the training ground to be in the best shape I can be. I’ll work as hard as I can.
“The rest is all in other people’s hands. It’s just up to me to play as well as I can in the games that I get. I’ll see where that takes me.”
International return surely some way off for now
It’s a bit premature to talk about an international return for Forster at the moment. He’s only just started playing regularly over the last month or so. Before that, he played just once for Southampton’s first team last season.
It’s no surprise then that Forster wasn’t keen to get too deep into the subject. He knows he still has a long way to go in order to break back in.
Forster’s last appearance in an international squad was back in 2017. Since then, injury problems and the rise of Angus Gunn has kept him out of first-team action at Saints, and therefore, subsequently, England.
You also have to look at how hard Forster had to work to get into the England squad whilst at Parkhead originally. His first call-up back in 2013 came on the back of some stunning performances against the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan. This season, he isn’t up against that calibre of player.
Whether an impressive run in the Europa League can see his name thrown back into the mix remains to be seen. However, England currently have Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, and Tom Heaton who all seem to be ahead of him for now.
He’ll have his eyes fixated on a return to the international picture one day. But for now, Forster is likely just happy to be back playing.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
