Goalkeeper who was tipped to replace Joe Hart at Celtic is now mooted for a £40m transfer

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Celtic’s recruitment team has gone down some interesting roads in recent times, none more so than last season.

Whilst Matt O’Riley’s club-record sale to Brighton stole the headlines, and then brought in his replacement, in the form of the club-record transfer, Arne Engels.

One of the most important areas that was dealt with supremely was the man in between the sticks after Joe Hart’s retirement.

Celtic replaced Hart with Kasper Schmeichel, including rising youngster, Viljami Sinisalo, as the back-up goalkeeping option.

There were many goalkeepers tipped to join the champions of Scotland, including a host of Premier League players, and one who could now make a big money summer move.

• READ MORE: ‘I don’t mean that disrespectfully’ – Celtic told key player would be sold for ‘£10 million’

One-time Celtic transfer target Caoimhin Kelleher heading for big-money Liverpool exit

If Celtic signed Caoimhin Kelleher last summer, then he would have come in and become the club’s number one straight away – and that long-term keeper would have been sorted.

But now that’s way out of Celtic’s reach, as the current transfer market dictates.

Kelleher is playing behind Alisson Becker at Liverpool, so it’s always hard for him to be handed regular starts, but when he does play, he looks and performs at a high standard.

That’s why the Republic of Ireland star, especially with Liverpool signing Giorgi Mamardashvili, is going to leave Anfield this summer.

Kelleher has been tipped to secure a £40 million transfer away from the champions of England, with the likes of Brentford keen on his services.

Kasper Schmeichel’s stats in his debut campaign for Celtic

Schmeichel’s injury towards the end of the season didn’t help matters because he just didn’t seem right for the cup final, and perhaps Sinisalo should have started.

But that’s the only real gripe you have of the Denmark international’s debut campaign in the green and white colours.

There is a reason why Schmeichel signed a new contract months into his Celtic reign, and the fans are pretty pleased by what they have seen from him.