What next for Celtic stopper Scott Bain?

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You have to wonder at this stage what direction Scott Bain’s career will eventually head in.

Last season’s Hoops number one has almost dropped off the face of the earth when it comes to matchday squads. His last match came against Cluj in the 4-3 loss at Celtic Park last month. It’s fair to say he had a shocker too, as he was beaten far too easily for a couple of the Romanian side’s goals.

Over a week later and Fraser Forster was back with the club and fighting it out with Craig Gordon. Bain had apparently picked up a slight injury against Cluj, and he would miss the next match against Dunfermline Athletic.

Only, that’s not the only match he’s missed. He’s also missed the subsequent seven matches since then too. In fact, he hasn’t even been a part of the matchday squad.

There’s nothing to suggest he’s still injured. However, his poor performance against Cluj seems to have seen him drop to third-choice in the goalkeeping ranks. Gordon played in both Europa League playoff matches against AIK, and has been on the bench as back-up to Forster ever since.

Is a loan move for Bain too ridiculous?

It seems so odd to even discuss whether Bain should leave the club to get games suddenly. After all, he was part of the treble-treble winning side last season, and was the number one at the club since January.

Bain even managed an incredible run last season of 10 consecutive clean sheets in domestic football. But, in fairness, that was more to do with how solid the back-line was between January and March in particular.

The reality facing the former Dundee star is a harsh one. He isn’t anywhere near the number one spot anymore. Forster and Gordon are ahead of him once again, and it would take a miracle for that to change.

For Bain, he could probably do with a January move elsewhere to keep himself ticking over and to keep developing elsewhere. At 27, he still has his best years ahead of him. It would be mad to stay at Parkhead and stagnate by not being a part of matchday squads.

Then again, Celtic could have one eye on keeping a hold of him given the Gordon situation. How long does our number two still want to sit on the sidelines at his age? It’s clear Forster is Neil Lennon’s boy, and at 36, you can’t see him wanting to watch on as he closes in on the final years of his career.

That could tempt Celtic to hold onto Bain when it comes to the January window. But it would be no surprise to see some activity in terms of outgoings in the goalkeeping department. And if you’re Bain, you must be wanting to find some game-time elsewhere in the short-term.