Celtic are on the verge of adding goalkeeper Fraser Forster to the squad, BBC Scotland report.
With an injury to Scott Bain reducing Neil Lennon’s options, Forster will be brought in to compete for the number one position.
Currently Craig Gordon is available but clearly the manager feels he needs more depth.
The outlet say that the former English international will be joining on a loan basis.
Forster was a stand-out in the Hoops team during his first spell at the club. In total he made 197 appearances, helping keep 101 clean sheets (Transfermarkt).
Crucially too, he was often superb in Europe. He famously vexed Barcelona amongst others as Lennon’s side competed with the continent’s best.
However, his peak years look to be behind him despite still only being 31. He hasn’t played regularly for Southampton since 2017, with fitness and form issues seeing him drop to third-choice at the Saints.
It’s not exactly encouraging ahead of a potential return, but Celtic will be hoping he can rebuild his career in Glasgow. It was goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods who helped him blossom into an elite goalkeeper.
Celtic fans on Fraser Forster
Reaction to his imminent return has been pretty mixed within the Celtic support.
There are certainly some in favour…
https://twitter.com/cbev91/status/1164452307813195777
https://twitter.com/RadicalCelt/status/1164438410876149760
Others are less than impressed, with some feeling the club are being unambitious at best, or making a serious mistake…
https://twitter.com/gerryward1888/status/1164452590937149440
https://twitter.com/_zsipod_/status/1164456507624296449
The reality of the situation is probably somewhere in between the social media reaction, as always.
We don’t really know what kind of shape Forster is in given his lack of appearances.
Given his playing history at Celtic Park he deserves the benefit of the doubt initially.
As an emergency option following the injury to Scott Bain we could have done a lot worse.
Let’s hope he is still the player he once was.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
