When Ross Doohan finally left Celtic earlier this month to sign a permanent deal with Tranmere Rovers, it brought to an end a long-term futile attempt for the 24 year old to finally break into the Celtic first team set-up.
A Celtic Academy graduate, Doohan has been sent out on loan by the club on seven occasions to half a dozen different clubs going all the way back to 2015. His last loan spell was at Tranmere and it’s where he now feels at home and able to get on with his career without constant concern about what the future might hold for him up the road at Celtic Park.
“I’m at an age now when I can’t be going out on loan every season then returning to Celtic with my future unknown. I returned for pre-season but deep down knew I wasn’t going to get a chance,” Ross Doohan said, as reported by today’s Sunday Mail print edition (page 65).
“I had a good discussion with Ange before I left and he wished me all the best. He told me a move was the best option as he’s already sorted for keepers next season.
“That’s the reality of playing for a massive club like Celtic. They’re able to bring in two top keepers in Benji Siegrist and Joe Hart. For someone like myself trying to break through, it’s very difficult. At least I don’t need to worry about that anymore.”
👋 Welcome 𝘽𝘼𝘾𝙆 to Prenton Park…#TRFC #SWA pic.twitter.com/RuMYbnLUfg
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) July 6, 2022
Celtic’s decision to bring in the vastly experienced former England goalkeeper Joe Hart last summer really did pay huge dividends for Ange Postecoglou who has already sold Doohan for an undisclosed fee to Tranmere and shipped out the calamitous Vasilis Barkas to Utrecht on a season long loan deal during this transfer window.
And of course by bringing in Ben Seigrist as the Barkas replacement it was clear to the former Celtic Academy man that he’d have to look elsewhere for first team football. At Tranmere Doohan is a popular member of the first team and he is likely to go on to enjoy a decent career south of the border.
Speaking to the official Tranmere Rovers website at the beginning of this month the former Celtic goalkeeper said: “I’m really pleased to get it all sorted now. I really enjoyed it here last season so I feel this is a great step in my career.
“I know how the Club works and the stature of it with the training facilities, the stadium and the fan base. Having a great relationship with the Gaffer and with Joe Murphy was another big factor for me.
“I didn’t take much convincing at all, as soon as I heard that there was interest I wanted to come back. I can’t wait to get going again.”
📝 Tranmere Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of Ross Doohan for an undisclosed fee from Celtic!
Great to have you back for good, Ross 😍#TRFC #SWA
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) July 6, 2022
We certainly wish Ross the best of luck at Tranmere Rovers.
