Scott Bain was at Celtic for over seven years.
Brought to Glasgow by Brendan Rodgers in 2018, he was made to make his debut months later against Rangers at Ibrox.
For the next few years, he was in and out of the Hoops’ side, competing for the number one spot with Craig Gordon.
After falling behind Fraser Forster in the pecking order under Neil Lennon, he returned to the side after the poor form of Vasilis Barkas, before spending the last four years as designated backup.
In the end, Bain made 85 appearances for the Hoops – but after being recalled to the Scotland squad for his form at Falkirk, he feels regret over not leaving earlier.
Scott Bain on leaving Celtic after his Scotland recall
Bain has been recalled to the Scotland squad after an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
He is joined in the selection by Rangers’ Liam Kelly and former Celtic teammate Gordon. He has received three Scotland caps already, between 2018 and 2020.
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With the games of massive importance for the Tartan Army in their qualification campaign for next summer’s World Cup, it will be a huge decision for manager Steve Clarke who takes Gunn’s place.
Bain might not get on the pitch on the games, but on his return to the Scotland camp amid first-team action at Falkirk, he has revealed regret over not leaving Celtic earlier.
He said to Sky Sports News: “It honestly wasn’t something when I first joined Falkirk that I thought might have been achievable.
“As the season has went on, as I’ve built into the games and grew the confidence and started performing better then, it was something in the distance.
“Looking back now I probably should have left Celtic and made the jump to get back into football a little bit quicker.
“But it’s difficult at times when you’ve got a family, you’ve got your house and mortgage, and the same as everyone else you’ve got bills to pay, so it’s difficult to leave a contract that’s there for you.
“And it’s easy in hindsight to say I should have done it years ago, but I’ve done it now and I’m thankful that I’ve been given the opportunity.
“The circumstances maybe didn’t allow for that at the time, but 100 per cent I feel like I made the right decision because of this.”
Scott Bain’s best moments at Celtic
Bain’s Hoops debut was as explosive as they come – despite a red-card to Jozo Simunovic, Celtic won 3-2 at Ibrox thanks to Odsonne Edouard’s iconic winner.
He established himself as the Hoops’ first choice the following season, going eight matches without conceding a goal in December.
He started both cup finals in Celtic’s treble treble-winning season, by far the best of his Parkhead career.
With appearances far more scarce in his later years, he had a brief run of games under Rodgers in 2023 when Joe Hart was suspended.
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