The reported Mat Ryan demand that could give Celtic an edge over Arsenal

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As we await to see where Mat Ryan ends up this summer, there is one reported demand from him could give Celtic an edge over Arsenal.

Sky Sports reported yesterday that Celtic were assessing their goalkeeping options. After selecting him as his number one for the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup, new Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou is said to be keen on reuniting with Ryan.

The Brighton stopper will be into the final year of his contract this season. Sky has claimed that Arsenal are also interested, where he spent the second half of last season on loan. There is also interest from France and Spain.

The Gunners, of course, is the side that jumps out the most here. Ryan has already gone on record as saying that he hopes they’re one of his options this summer [Fox Sports].

However, Sky reported that Ryan is keen to be first-choice at whatever club he moves to. He’ll weigh up his options before making his mind up, but first-team football appears important to him.

Mat Ryan won’t get first-team football at Arsenal

If first-team football on a weekly basis is the goal, Arsenal should be a no-go. Ryan only played three times there during the second half of last campaign [Transfermarkt].

Not that there will be any guarantees at Celtic either. Vasilis Barkas could return to pre-season with a new lease of life. It will also be interesting to see what Postecoglou does with young Conor Hazard too.

It also remains to be seen which clubs from the continent are monitoring this also. But if Ryan wants to be a number one in his next gig, he should avoid the Emirates at all costs. It’s been proven that all he would do in North London is warm the bench.

It is a touch concerning that he appears to be open to moving back there. That contradicts any idea that he only wants to be playing regularly next season.

Hopefully, his connection with Postecoglou can sway him to Glasgow should we decide to make a move. Celtic have a new project on the go, and Ryan would surely be intrigued with the prospect of helping Postecoglou become a major success story.

We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks. But if Ryan truly is after regular game-time and not just a fat paycheck, Celtic over Arsenal has to be his decision.

In other news, the Celtic fans appear ready to give Barkas another chance this summer.