Report: Celtic start to make contract moves as Ange prepares for season three

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It’s that time of year when decisions will be made on various members of the Celtic squad and first up is goalkeeper Scott Bain, The Scottish Daily Mail has reported [19/05 Print edition, page 77].

Journalist Stephen McGowan reports that Bain has agreed terms on a new three-year contract, with just a year remaining on the contract he signed in January 2022.

Bain has only made four appearances since Ange Postecoglou arrived in Glasgow; none have come this season. However, he’s been the consistent understudy to Joe Hart on the bench since Benjamin Siegrist suffered a calf injury earlier this year.

Scott Bain the first of many big summer decisions at Celtic

Bain, now 31, joined the Bhoys in January 2018 and has gone on to make 74 appearances in all competitions. He’s primarily been installed as a backup option who also ticks a home-grown-in-nation quota when it comes to our UEFA squads. That backup status is likely to continue.

As Postecoglou prepares for year three of his Celtic tenure, a number of other players are entering the final 12 months of their deals with the Bhoys and decisions are looming.

Number one goalkeeper Hart’s contract expires in 2024, as do current agreements in place for Aaron Mooy and David Turnbull. Celtic are unlikely to let their situations linger on for too long if they are already moving to secure fringe squad members like Bain.

That’s before Postecoglou and the recruitment team even start to think about further strengthening the quality of the squad ahead of another tilt at the UEFA Champions League. Celtic are in a very strong financial position and that’s expected to be reflected in summer transfer window business.

News of Bain putting pen to paper on a new deal is the first sign that the manager is ready to push the button on squad-building decisions, with the bulk of the season complete and the league title delivered.

In other news, Emilio Izaguirre still has Celtic colours on as he shares photo out and about in Honduras.