Ever since the disastrous signing of Vasilis Barkas, Celtic have baulked at spending big money on goalkeepers.
Celtic bought Barkas for £4.5m back in 2021 but the Greek international goalkeeper really struggled to make a career for himself in Glasgow.
Since then, Celtic have turned to free signings of Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel and while both were successful, there is a goalkeeper who has shone at the World Cup who Celtic should look at spending serious money on.
Who should be Celtic’s goalkeeper next season?
Why Orlando Gill is worth Celtic’s attention
Orlando Gill has had an impressive World Cup representing Paraguay against the likes of France in the knockout stages.
His stats from the tournament are particularly impressive:
- Saved 23 shots.
- 79.3% save percentage.
- +1.56 goals prevented.
- Two clean sheets.
- No errors leading to goals.
- Knocked Germany out.
- Reached the last 16.
Those are not the numbers of a goalkeeper simply riding his luck through a short tournament.
But it’s the fee that Gill is available for that should tempt Celtic into testing San Lorenzo’s resolve this summer.
Celtic should not baulk at €6m Orlando Gill fee
Sky Sports Italia report that Gill is available for €6m after his World Cup heroics with Torino leading the race for his signature.
Barkas failed at Celtic, of that there is no doubt. But that doesn’t mean Gill will too. At just 26, Celtic would be getting a goalkeeper who has shown he can handle pressure on the world’s biggest stage against elite opposition.
And with 11 caps to his name, it’s clear Gill will become Paraguay’s number one for the foreseeable future.
Gill may never appear on Celtic’s shortlist. But if the club are looking for a long-term successor to Kasper Schmeichel, his performances suggest he deserves to be looked at closely.
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