Joe Hart to Celtic latest: Media outlet checks out online rumours of imminent signing

By John McGinley

July 15, 2020

Celtic haven’t yet progressed their interest in goalkeeper Joe Hart despite initial discussions with the former England international, The Daily Record reports today (15/07 live blog, 15:57).

The outlet references online rumours that the shot-stopper is on the verge of signing up at Celtic Park this week.

However, having checked with their own sources, they report that a deal isn’t yet close despite negotiations.

Hart though remains an option for Neil Lennon, who is looking for alternatives to last season’s number one Fraser Forster.

Currently, he can only call upon Scott Bain, with unproven talents Conor Hazard and Ross Doohan in reserve.

There are just a few weeks to go until the start of the Scottish Premiership season, so the situation is growing quite urgent and there’s no real sign of a breakthrough.

It should also be remembered that Bain missed a large chunk of last season with a thumb injury.

Hart is a free agent after leaving Burnley and hasn’t played a competitive match since December 2018. He’s no guarantee between the sticks either.

David Marshall is reported to be another option and could even be available for free due to Wigan Athletic’s financial problems.

Free agent goalkeeper Joe Hart in action for Burnley / (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Southampton are still playing out the closing stages of the Premier League season so there’s no guarantee that Forster’s situation will be resolved quickly, though there is said to still be a chance that he commits his future to Celtic.

There’s plenty of mileage left in our goalkeeping saga this summer.

In other news, Celtic are reported to have told right-back Anthony Ralston he has no future at the club.