Celtic are searching for a new goalkeeper this summer.
Martin O’Neill has confirmed that he wants to add competition for Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan – the duo have started in between the sticks for Celtic in pre-season.
What’s interesting is that Stefan Ortega’s name was linked to Celtic during the January transfer window – and now he is a free agent.
The 33-year-old, who played for Manchester City, left Nottingham Forest at the end of last season, and now reports have emerged that he is ‘fully fit and available to sign as a free agent,’ according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg.
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Stefan Ortega has ‘turned down’ Everton, Forest, and Levante
What’s interesting is that Plettenberg is reporting on social media that Ortega has ‘turned down’ approaches from the likes of Everton, Forest and Levante.
All these clubs have number ones in between their sticks, including England star Jordan Pickford.
You wonder if this is Ortega hinting that he wants to join a club and be a starter rather than sitting on the bench, because he played a squad role for the majority of the time he was at the City Ground.
‘Stefan Ortega is still in talks with potential new clubs,’ wrote Plettenberg on social media.
‘The 33 y/o goalkeeper is fully fit and available to sign as a free agent. Ortega recently turned down approaches from Everton, Forest and Levante.
‘Olympiacos are now trying to sign him, while several other clubs are also in the race. It also remains to be seen whether VfB Stuttgart will make a move following Dennis Seimen’s injury. A switch to Stuttgart would be an interesting option for Ortega.’
This is Celtic’s chance to pounce for Ortega
What’s interesting is that O’Neill has stated in pre-season that Celtic ‘need another goalkeeper. We’ve only got the two young lads, we’ve got Ross, and we’ve got Sinisalo, so we definitely need another goalkeeper.’
If that’s the case, then the champions of Scotland have to push for somebody with experience, and a keeper who has been number one.
It would make sense for Celtic to push for Ortega, because as the fans have seen over the years, that older head in between the sticks has worked.
Yes, it was a horrible ending for Kasper Schmeichel, but he was still a successful trophy-winning goalkeeper for the club.
And before then, you had Joe Hart, who was probably more popular than anyone else during his time in Glasgow.
What’s also interesting is that both of those players had tasted Premier League football, just like Ortega.
So once again, if the German shot-stopper is looking for a new home, is still available, and is on a free, then this would be a sensible purchase for Celtic.
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