Martin Dubravka has yet again been linked with Celtic as the search for Joe Hart’s successor continues to drag out. And there appears to be tractor to this one coming from credible Newcastle United fan media, which hints that Dubravka could be on his way to Celtic shorty.
The Slovakian international has been hotly tipped to join the club from more than a few viable sources down south in recent weeks. Things could get clearer now that Slovakia are out of Euro 2024, having narrowly lost out to England in the last 16 clash yesterday evening with Dubravka in goals.
I reckon that there is some substance to these claims. Dubravka, who is 35, is an experienced keeper who is comfortable enough, if not brilliant, with the ball at his feet, something that Brendan admires in goalkeepers. With him being apparently surplus to requirements at Newcastle United it makes perfect sense, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him line up next season as our new number one.
It’s unlikely to please some Celtic supporters, and I suppose I can see their point. We all want some decent money spent on a new keeper. Preferably a younger one with a bit of pedigree, but I can see the sense in signing someone like Dubravka, for his experience and ability.
Judging by his displays at the Euro 2024, he looks like a decent, reliable keeper who will not find having the gloves for Celtic daunting, unlike Vasilis Barkas, who cost Celtic £4.5m from AEK Athens.
Dubravka got EPL experience and an abundance of international experience. Yes he might be 35, but he’s still got a couple of years left in him. He wouldn’t be the worse signing, and it beats starting with Scott Bain in goal next season.
There’s a Newcastle United social media account that seems to be credible enough, that claims that Dubravka is Celtic bound. Mouth of the Tyne, which has 42.5k followers and describes itself as being about all the latest NUFC news, Debate/Opinion, Transfer Rumours..run by a fan FOR the fans, mentioned this last night and has a further update today.
Here’s what they had to say on Sunday evening: ‘Last bit of info from me tonight. Told that Celtic have firmed up contact with #NUFC regarding Dubravka. Player keen on move but won’t entertain discussions until after the Euros….fully focused on Sunday’s game. He 100% wants out of the Club this summer.’
And today’s update: ‘The Ruddy deal surely means that Dubravka is now nailed on to move. A couple of days ago, the news I got was that he was likely signing for Celtic as soon as the Euros were over.
Slovakia exited the competition last night so perhaps this one is accelerating now.’
The Ruddy deal surely means that Dubravka is now nailed on to move.
A couple of days ago, the news I got was that he was likely signing for Celtic as soon as the Euros were over.
Slovakia exited the competition last night so perhaps this one is accelerating now.#NUFC https://t.co/8nCJojzpEV
— 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗻𝗲 #NUFC (@ToonMouthTyne) July 1, 2024
Could Celtic be about to confirm the signing of Martin Dubravka? We should know sooner rather than later.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
READ THIS…State of Play in the Celtic Summer Transfer Window, with over 40 players already linked
Somehow I just don’t think that we would make making this potential signing as our no1 keeper imo?
However, I do believe that we should be in the market for 2 keepers this summer.
If that should be the case, then not an issue, as we need competition for the no1 Jersey, along with a decent no2 keeper who could potentially be used in the 2 Cup competition’s imo?
Possibly keep Bain as a 3rd choice, until a younger keeper from the academy starts to develop?
It may well be that BR has already indicated Dubravka is a signing he approves of, because he ticks the boxes for quality, leadership and the ability to handle the pressure of playing for the club. And that possibly age and experience are viewed as a benefit rather than a missed resale opportunity. Let’s hope all of those points are found to be true, and that if Dubravka signs we get a couple of Joe Hart standard years out of him. I won’t be complaining.
He did ok at the Euros – certainly seems capable of holding his bottle in the CL even if the raw athleticism is on the wane.
We don’t seem to be able to attract top tier European talent in their prime time years, even at goalkeeper, and any younger hidden gems we do find are sadly going to be tempted away after a few seasons at best. That’s the modern reality.
So, even at 35, if Dubravka is the best option for quality for us, and we are the best option for him for career, let’s get behind him and hope the club make the other key signings required, not least a top calibre left back.