If Celtic were being consistent in their approach then Craig Gordon would have already been releasing social media messages to the Celtic support saying thanks for the memories. That he isn’t is an intriguing development.

Eboue Kouassi left Celtic to sign for Belgian side Genk

Last week it was announced that Eboue Kouassi had moved to Belgian side Genk after it became clear that he had no future at Parkhead. Calvin Miller followed suit soon as well. Out of contract and out of the picture, that one was no real surprise.

Then we had Jonny Hayes posting an emotional message to the Celtic fans on Instagram, bowing out after his contract ran out. And the most recent exit saw the club have now announce that they will not be taking the one-year option in Jozo Simunovic’s contract either meaning he too will be exiting stage left.

Jozo Simunovic was released at the weekend after Celtic decided against taking up the one year option in his contract

None of those departures were surprising in the current climate. Jozo’s injury record – with Celtic likely to be looking at a balance between wage, age and time spent in the first team as opposed to the treatment table – meant in uncertain financial times the club was no longer going to be in a position to carry passengers.

Both Miller and Kouassi were no longer even being considered as first team possibilities and it would even be a stretch to think of either as meaningful squad contributors. It made sense for them to go.

At 33 Jonny Hayes, though a meaningful squad contributor last season wasn’t a first team pick. Balance that with his age and even a one year contract looked a sentimental option, fans favourite as he is, rather than sound financial sense in times of tough choices being made.

Damien Duff giving instructions to Jonny Hayes – both left Celtic over the last week or so

If I had one reservation over the Hayes exit, it would seem that communication may have been lacking. Given Hayes interviews post exit, where he stated he hadn’t had the reasons for not being offered an extension he was clearly expecting pre-pandemic. It may seem obvious but it’s never a bad idea to let players know the reasons for decisions being taken. It is worth remembering our reputation as a suitable transfer for new players can be damaged by such oversights. It’s really just a case of basic manners if nothing else.

For Craig Gordon however – free as he is now upon his contract expiring yesterday to discuss terms with other clubs – it becomes a situation that could be quite telling for the Celtic support.

If Gordon is allowed to go then we can safely assume the club are confident of getting a replacement goalkeeper. If we re-sign Gordon at 37 years of age, it could well mean the club are concerned regarding the No1 slot and ensuring we at least have Scott Bain and Craig Gordon insitu to cover the position, in the absence of what would you’d assume would be another loan deal attempt for Fraser Forster.

Scott Bain dropped out of the Celtic side after the Cluj fiasco last August in the Champions League Qualifier defeat at Celtic Park

Whilst most fans top transfer target would be the signing of Forster it would be surprising given the transfer fee, coupled with wages for that deal to be a permanent arrangement in such an insecure financial transfer market. You’d expect Peter Lawwell to broach another loan deal before even considering discussing the subject of signing ‘The Great Wall’ and paying the sums involved.

There were of course recent links to another 37 year old goalkeeper, also a free agent, Claudio Bravo. I’d be pretty certain that’s been someone attempting to put two and two together and getting five. Again the wages expected for a 37 year old would be too rich and there seems no evidence anywhere of genuine interest in the player.

Neil Lennon’s response to the Cluj defeat was to bring Fraser Forster back to the club on a season long loan deal from Southampton

I’m certain there is a name on a shortlist of one for the goalkeeping position next season and that’s Fraser Forster. Beyond that we wouldn’t need what amounts to two back goalkeepers.

With Bain being an ideal choice as an understudy, that would leave an out of contract Gordon as the fall guy, mainly as he is likely to be one of the highest earners at the club as opposed to any slight on his ability.

Conor Hazard, out on loan at Dundee last season and now 22 years of age fits the bill as a player who can step into a supporting role should Celtic be confident of securing Fraser Forster.

For Craig Gordon there are some tough decisions to make. He will have to balance the availability of genuine alternatives for first team football elsewhere, up against the possibility of being a backup on a short term contract at Celtic. In normal circumstances a move elsewhere might have been his preference had top team football been assured elsewhere, now an offer from Celtic may be something that couldn’t be refused, if it materialises of course.

Considering Jonny Hayes was under the impression that Neil Lennon wanted him retained for another 12 months, then you can safely assume that the hard financial decisions are being made by Peter Lawwell. Two well paid goalkeepers in the shape of Forster and Gordon is unlikely to be something the Chief executive would consider at present even if his manager was keen on the option.

As such what happens over the next few days or weeks regarding Craig Gordon will make for interesting viewing and will tell us a lot about Celtic’s intentions and confidence around securing Fraser Forster for the 10-in-a-row campaign.

Niall J