Cynic’s Bad News Update on Fraser Forster as Southampton offer him first team football

The usually very reliable team at 90 Minute Cynic have posted a rather depressing update on the Fraser Forster transfer pursuit by Celtic. The big Englishman has been Neil Lennon’s number 1 target this summer and with Craig Gordon opting to leave the club this week it seemed that a deal was edging ever closer.

Forster celebrates as Celtic beat Lazio in Rome in the Europa League

The player returned to the South coast of England yesterday to discuss his future at Southampton and presumably to do his bit to force through a permanent transfer back to Glasgow, where he re-established himself as a first pick goalkeeper once again after previously dropping down the pecking order at St Mary’s.

Under a header of ‘Exclusive News’ the Cynic states that Fraser Forster will not be returning to Celtic after all, thus giving Neil Lennon a major problem as he plans for the Ten-in-a-Row campaign.

Various Scottish journalists were gleefully reporting that the Forster deal was off last night but none had much more than the money was beginning to look too much for Celtic, given the demands that were being made from Southampton.

Gordon left the club this week to re-join Hearts

However the Cynic state that Fraser Forster was told yesterday he would be moving up Southampton’s pecking order – previously he was third choice – and would be given a chance next season.

The Cynic also state that there was an agreement was in place between Southampton and Celtic included within last year’s loan deal which had an option to buy for Celtic and they state that Celtic wanted to take up this option and make the transfer permanent – as we all know.

What has happened remains unclear. If Forster has been persuaded to stay on at Southampton with the promise of first team football being the carrot used to keep him, then there is little that Celtic can do if the player has had a chance of mind.

Time is not on Celtic’s side on this one – the season starts in exactly a month from today and the only experienced goalkeeper at the club is Scott Bain, who last season was the third pick behind Forster and Craig Gordon.

Joe Hart has been considered as an alternative but Chris Sutton has warned Neil Lennon against making a move for the former England keeper

Joe Hart and David Marshall have both been considered by the coaching staff over the past few days as possible alternatives if the Forster deal hit the rocks. Chris Sutton argued against moving for Hart yesterday, and his comments are well worth a read, given today’s disappointing developments.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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