Celtic’s prolonged search for a new goalkeeper has become the summer’s transfer saga so far, with around a month until the new Scottish Premiership campaign kicks off.
Clarity is still yet to be found at Parkhead regarding who will replace Joe Hart amid a growing sense of agitation from supporters.
With the window well underway, Sparta Prague’s Peter Vindahl Jensen and Newcastle United veteran Martin Dubravka are among the main candidates mentioned in media circles.
In the case of Jensen, talks are still ongoing over a potential transfer that could exceed £4 million in cost. Meanwhile, the latter has admitted his future is uncertain under Eddie Howe after being made surplus to requirements.
Weighing up options is fine and well; nevertheless, the time for action is now as Celtic try to act ahead of the forthcoming season.
Mark Wilson on Celtic taking the Joe Hart route again
Hart’s arrival at Celtic in 2022 made perfect sense. Following a disastrous season, the former England international helped to restore order between the sticks, providing some much-needed leadership under Ange Postecoglou.
Now, the Hoops face a market decision that will divide the support. Brendan Rodgers must decide whether to go with another experienced goalkeeper or a younger netminder.
Speaking to Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, former Celtic man Mark Wilson has urged his old side to go and get a tried and tested goalkeeper this window.
Initially, he stated: “Dubravka, I don’t know if he’d be a good signing; all I do know is that he’s experienced. The experienced route has worked for Celtic, I think we can all agree on that with goalkeepers who maybe took a wee dip but certainly came back up to the level at Celtic.
“They need to fill the position soon. We’re not hearing much about it, but it’s one of the most critical positions in the team. You need to get it over the line soon.
Later, he added when asked if he sees Celtic going down the Hart route for an experienced stopper: “Of course, I can see them going down that route as it’s been the most recent success. With the trading model that Celtic have, you can’t do it for every position; there are some positions that you’ve just got to give up on.
Finally, Wilson added: “I think it suits Celtic; look, they can do that with every other position (look for sell-on value), but the past has shown us that when you don’t get that position right, you find yourself in a whole load of trouble and before you know it, you’re rotating between three goalkeepers over the course of a season.”
Celtic recruiting an experienced stopper has benefits
Despite the clamour for a younger figure, it shouldn’t be lost on people that Hart’s departure has left a void of experience requiring supplementation.
Casting an eye over positions that could be subject to change this window, there is an argument to be had that goalkeeper is one of the areas you’d like to have some know-how, given there is less room for error between the sticks.
You could attract a stopper between their late twenties and early thirties to have the best of both worlds. Perhaps that is where Celtic should focus their search in the coming weeks.
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