The SPFL star who has a massive chance to impress Celtic this week

By David Walton

March 2, 2021

There may not be many major side-stories heading into the Scottish Premiership clash between Dundee United and Celtic this weekend.

Outside of John Kennedy taking charge of his second competitive game, fans won’t be discussing much else. It’s another chance to delay the inevitable that is our title concession.

However, there is another talking point that’s being overlooked. And it involves Tannadice goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist.

The Swiss shot-stopper was said to have been scouted by Celtic on several occasions. That was according to his agent Thomas Kraft, whose client is out of contract at the end of next season [Daily Mail].

Celtic were linked as recently as January. The Daily Mail had reported that the player had been placed on a list of January targets. In the end, United held onto their star-man despite him being available for a fee of £1m.

Benjamin Siegrist display vs Celtic could help reignite interest

The Tannadice stopper has certainly proved himself as a Premiership-quality goalkeeper this season. Throughout his United career, he’s conceded under one goal per game on average.

Siegrist currently has nine clean sheets to his name with the newly-promoted club. In 12 more matches he’s only shipped one goal. The Swiss stopper has certainly proven his worth and is ready for the next level.

Another fine performance against a Celtic team struggling to find a solid number one could prove crucial for him. Especially if Kennedy is helping the board draw up transfer targets for the summer in the same way Lennon was doing.

Celtic have been linked with Benjamin Siegrist in the past/ (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)

But the Hoops likely won’t be the only club sniffing for his signature this summer either, if we do decide to make a move. Towards the tail-end of 2020, the likes of Schalke, CSKA Moscow, and Eridivisie clubs were linked with an interest [Blick].

United manager Micky Mellon has also been singing his praises in the Courier. He claimed last year that Siegrist was the “best keeper in the country. One heck of a compliment for the experienced stopper.

With Celtic needing fresh goalkeeping options next season, this Sunday represents a huge chance for Siegrist to put his name on the club’s scouting list once more. Let’s see what he can come up with when Kennedy’s Hoops come to Tayside.

In other news, Celtic have been urged to make a move for a manager “tailor-made” for the Parkhead job.