Southampton manager Russell Martin has said that he wants to sign Celtic target Alex McCarthy on a new contract after their promotion win against Leeds United. The Saints were 1-0 winners at Wembley with a goal from Adam Armstrong while McCarthy kept a clean sheet at the other end.
Speaking to Southern Daily Echo, Martin admitted that he is keen to retain McCarthy’s services alongside Scotland duo Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong.
“Yeah, we’ll try and keep all three. I think that’s been the plan the whole time. Whether or not we can, I don’t know. I know that there will be offers for all of them and probably offers that will pay them more than we can.
“Hopefully, the feeling they have and all that stuff will outweigh financial gain but maybe there’ll be other things about it too.
“Whether that is location, club, how they feel about it – but we’ll do our very best to try and keep all three. I think all three of them have been really outstanding.
“And then Big Al, I guess I’m a bit of an idiot for not playing a bit sooner but I think we have such a brilliant goalkeeping department here with Gavin and Joe as well. I’m so pleased for Al that it finished in this way.
“As I said, maybe it was meant to happen that he came into the team at some point.
“He’s been immense since he came in so we’ll try and keep Al as well and we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
Celtic are in the hunt for a new goalkeeper after Joe Hart wrapped up his illustrious career with the Scottish Cup success. McCarthy has been linked along with a number of names but having watched his performance against Leeds, the 34-year-old is still very much a quality operator.
With Southampton having Irishman Gavin Bazanu as their No.1 for most of the season, McCarthy might not settle for warming the bench. Celtic have the added carrot of Champions League Group Stage football, which has been increased to eight fixtures next season.
