John Hartson has been reacting to stories identifying a potential Celtic goalkeeper target Brendan Rodgers may opt to pursue this summer.
According to reports earlier in the week, the Hoops are locked in a battle with Newcastle United, Liverpool and several Saudi Arabian clubs for the signature of Southampton’s Alex McCarthy, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
The former England international has made seven appearances in all competitions this campaign, including keeping a clean sheet in the Saints’ Championship play-off semi-final first leg against West Bromwich Albion [Transfermarkt].
Brendan Rodgers is said to have entertained the idea of signing McCarthy before and labelled his abilities “absolutely staggering” when he was at Reading in 2013, per BBC Sport.
Should younger goalkeeper targets prove hard to obtain, the Irishman could consider bringing another experienced head to Parkhead to fill the void left by Joe Hart between the sticks amid his impending retirement.
In light of this, former Celtic striker John Hartson has given his verdict on the links alongside assessing the realities of his old side’s push to sign a new number one in the forthcoming window.
John Hartson on Celtic’s goalkeeping situation
Undeniably, Celtic will have a difficult job in replacing Hart, who reached his century and a half of appearances for the club against Rangers last weekend.
Nevertheless, Hartson isn’t convinced that McCarthy will be the only stopper on Rodgers’ radar come the summer transfer window, claiming a plethora of goalkeepers could become potential targets to fill the prestigious role.
The Welshman stated [Go Radio Football Show]: “I think Brendan Rodgers will look at a number of goalkeepers; we know Joe Hart is calling it a day, and I think they’ll work with their recruitment people. They’ll no doubt be getting sent lots and lots of videos from goalkeepers around the world. Their agents will be busy trying to get them to Celtic.”
Hartson then added after Paul Cooney suggested Fraser Forster’s name may be thrown into the mix: “They know Fraser Forster really well. I’m not sure, when you’re not active as a goalkeeper, he’s not playing at Spurs is he, so for me, there’ll be ten goalkeepers thrown at Celtic this summer and it’s up to the recruitment and Brendan Rodgers to take a pick on one or two of them.
“If he can get somebody with great experience like Joe Hart because he’s been there, seen it and done it all, he’s been fantastic for Celtic in the time he’s been there. As I said, he’s linked with this one, linked with that one, they’ll be linked with 100 players over the summer.”
Celtic have to consider who replaces Joe Hart carefully
It is all fine and well saying it is the right time for Hart to depart; however, the leadership and winning mentality put across by someone who has played at the elite level will be a major loss in the dressing room.
Without his influence, Celtic simply wouldn’t be on the cusp of success this term. He has made vital saves over the last few months, accumulating priceless points in the process.
Countless goalkeepers and their agents will put themselves across as viable successors, meaning it is up to Rodgers to recruit someone who can replicate his demeanour between the sticks.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
