Celtic will be in the market for a new number 1 goalkeeper this summer, following the retirement of Joe Hart. Every day there is another name linked with the gloves at Paradise, meaning few people are likely to have any knowledge on who the Bhoys are actually tracking. However, we all know the importance of getting the right replacement.
To have any chance of European progression, Celtic need a top class goalkeeper. Fraser Forster won us games on his own against the likes of Barcelona and brought us to within minutes of a point in the Nou Camp. Artur Boruc made a great penalty save from Louis Saha to hand us victory over Man Utd. These pair were matchwinners and were trusty and reliable. Though Joe Hart and Craig Gordon made mistakes in Europe, like all keepers, they were also generally reliable. At the very least, Celtic need that security behind the defence, otherwise we can forget getting any big results against big sides.
Hart and Gordon did decent jobs for us, Forster and Boruc were outstanding. Aside from that quartet, the goalkeeping position has been troublesome for the Hoops for a number of years.
There’s been the failed Barkas transfer, the bemusing moves for players like Bain, Seigrist, Brown and others; and there’s been the overlooking of the goalkeeping position at times when it was our weakest point. Indeed, many feel that the UEFA Cup trophy would be sat in Paradise now if Martin O’Neill had a better eye for a goalie. And after that 2003 heartbreak, it was Magnus Hedman who made blunders that played a big part in losing out on the Champions League last 16.
We have tended to be better in the goalkeeping market recently. That will have to continue because without a top keeper or striker then Celtic have little chance against the elite. After all, against superior opposition, we must take the majority of our chances and have a keeper capable of keeping us in it at the other end.