Almost every (Daily Record) other day (Sportlens), Celtic supporters are treated to more speculation about Fraser Forster.
The colossal goalkeeper, listed at approximately 9’5″, has been an outstanding servant to the club over two spells, the latter of which helped Celtic to seal 9-in-a-row.
He was also fantastic in Europe. His saves against Lazio defied belief (Celtic FC on YouTube) as the Bhoys made inroads against Europa League opposition.
He’s clearly the best goalkeeper Celtic have had in the last decade. Yet, he can’t get a look-in at Southampton. If we’re going to fix this goalkeeping problem, Dermot Desmond needs to splash the cash. If Forster is really into being a Celtic player, he should sign permanently.
Neither of those options seem entirely plausible.
Forster alone can’t fix this team
There is only so much a goalkeeper can do.
A good goalie can make important saves, bark instructions at his defenders and distribute the ball well. He can lead the defence from between the sticks, organise his immediate protectors and build confidence.
Forster does these things at an elite level. He couldn’t, however, face 13 shots and expect to keep a clean sheet (WhoScored?). From the off, Forster would be under tremendous pressure if he rejoined Celtic.
A goalkeeper is the last line of defence, and my goodness, they’re being tested in goals for Celtic this season. Ajer has forgotten where he needs to be when the Bhoys are out of possession. Frimpong and Elhamed are leaking on the right side. Set-pieces are still an absolute disaster.
Fraser Forster alone isn’t enough to fix these problems. If the Celtic board are placing each and every egg into the Forster basket in order to placate fans, they’re wrong to.
Would he represent a marked improvement on what we have? Unquestionably, yes. But there are larger issues at play here.
Twice bitten, not the slightest bit shy
My excellent colleague David Walton recently analysed Fraser Forster’s potential return in an article you can read here.
In it, he asked whether Celtic should go back for Forster after having been reportedly snubbed in favour of a potential move to Chelsea. Senegal international and familiar face to Celtic fans Edouard Mendy arrived at Stamford Bridge instead (BBC).
Forster once again warms Southampton’s bench. Celtic are again linked. Normal practice resumes.
We’ve been turned down by Fraser Forster on numerous occasions now, most notably when he signed for Southampton in the first place (The Guardian).
Peter Lawwell looks a bit like the man trying to ring his ex after a night out, here.
Are we not better placed to look for a permanent goalkeeping solution, if it’s not Barkas? Is another loan move just putting a plaster on a broken leg, here?
(Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Forster would’ve shipped goals, too
Behind this current Celtic defence, Forster would not have been able to save us. We might’ve conceded fewer goals, but our jotters would have been blotted regardless.
Basic defensive mistakes are undoing Celtic this season. Fixing that comes from coaching, not from having a decent goalkeeper. Even Lev Yashin would have struggled against Sparta Prague, with defending like Celtic’s.
It’s the indecision at set-pieces. It’s whoever’s playing at right-back repeatedly losing their man. Kristoffer Ajer forgetting who he’s meant to be marking. The inability to play offsides. These are the things that need fixing.
For the record, I don’t think our defenders are bad footballers; far from it. An expensive January overhaul isn’t what’s needed. Instead, we should be adding a top-class coach or two, who can run effective drills with the players Celtic have now.
Forster may have hands the size of chopping boards and incredible reactions. That’s why he’s on wages Celtic probably can’t afford long-term. But he’s not Superman. He can’t do everything.
The narrative around Celtic’s pursuit of Forster doesn’t only make us look a bit small-time, it absolves the defence and the coaches of responsibility. If the Englishman doesn’t come back, what excuses will the club make then?
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