It’s always nice to look back especially after a historic double treble season. The thing with football is that nothing stands still for long and we are already looking towards next season and the European qualifiers which begin in July.
We will be playing Champions League football before the World Cup has finished.
So, how did the squad do last season and what do we need to progress next season? Part one is all about the goal-keepers.
The Goalkeepers
Craig Gordon
There were doubts at the start of the season whether he could handle the Rodgers playing from the back style. Some of his performances were questioned and there was a feeling that a new number one would be purchased sooner rather than later.
The injury he sustained in January looked to have ended his season. He made a miraculous recovery and ended the season without doubt our undisputed number one.
While his distribution could improve there is no argument that we would struggle to get a better shot-stopper with our budget.
Best Moment: Save from Louis Moult in League Cup Final and also reaching 100 clean sheets.
Prediction: Will start the season as number one but now for the first time in his Celtic career has serious competition. This will benefit him and the club.
Scott Bain
Signed in January when Craig Gordon got injured and was instilled in the team right away. Better distribution than Craig while lacking the shot-stopping quality.
The testament that he did well was that there was a debate whether or not Craig would come back into the team when he was fit. That is all down to his ability and reliability when he was called on. He has signed permanently and seems to be enjoying life.
Best Moment: Save at Ibrox the somehow not managing to knock Morelos rebound into the net.
Prediction: With the number of games we play, the fact there is now three AstroTurf pitches in the top flight and his reliability Scott will get game time. He will play his part.
Doris De Vries
While not doing anything wrong he never inspired the confindence of the other two who played in goal for us this season. That is maybe harsh on him but it’s based on history and as we know fans have long memories when it comes to goal-keeping errors.
Best Moment: The game against Dundee when he made two great saves.
Prediction: Will only be called upon in a major emergency.
Overall: There is no need to strengthen this area of the team. We won’t get three better of a mix of goalkeepers. Longer term the game time Scott Bain gets will bode us well in the future.
