Fraser Forster’s decision now affecting him more than Celtic

Last season was a tale of many woes – or death by a thousand cuts as some have often mentioned. In many ways the catalyst for the pendulum swinging from Celtic Park began with the refusal of Fraser Forster to commit his immediate future to Celtic Football Club. Forster slung us a dummy and forced our hand into buying another goalkeeper in Greek internationalist, Vassilis Barkas. Well, enough said about that one the better.

: Fraser Forster of Southampton. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Now though, it appears Forster may be rueing the decision to reject a return to the place where he made his name in football to stay at St Mary’s with Southampton. According to Adrian Kajumba of the Mailonline, Ralph Hassenhuttl is reassessing his goalkeeping options and is looking to tie up Alex McCarthy on a long-term contract, signifying him as the number one goalkepper at the club.

The report stated: “McCarthy has started every league game for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side and only Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy and Manchester City’s Ederson have kept more than his five Premier League clean sheets from 11 games so far this season.”

“Southampton are poised to secure McCarthy’s future ahead of a summer reshuffle of their goalkeeping department.”

Fraser Forster of Southampton (Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images)

“Forster’s contract also expires at the end of the season and he is expected to leave with a new stopper arriving.”

“Southampton are among the clubs monitoring England keeper Sam Johnstone’s situation at West Brom, along with West Ham and Tottenham.”

Forster’s ill-judged decision to go back to the Saints has cost him dearly as respects to his playing career. His bank balance will have swollen, of that I have no doubt. But the question is why he would want to sit on the Southampton bench or worse, in the reserves. Fraser always had his best days playing in a Celtic shirt, both during Neil Lennon’s stints as manager of the football club.

Fraser Forster of Southampton (Photo by Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images)

His chances of an England recall have all but evaporated with his lack of game time in the Premier League since his return. Their is undoubtedly a phenomenal talent in Fraser and where ever he goes next in his career we wish him all the best. There is just that pang of what might have been if the big man had stayed the course.

Ah well.

It just goes to show, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side after all…

Paul Gillespie

About Author

I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

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