With the transfer window open and Celtic already being busy with incoming players, it is inevitable that the revolving door at Celtic will expect some use as an exit as well as entry to Celtic Park this month.
Whilst in some positions Celtic seem light on options and Ange Postecoglou and new CEO Michael Nicholson have set about addressing those already, in others we seem bloated and not just by numbers, by reliability too.
One such position is between the sticks. Joe Hart has nailed down the number one spot and bar some dodgy moments with the ball at his feet has looked immensely assured when it comes to keeping the ball out of the net. He’s also blown away some preconceptions as to the type of lad he is too. An impression of arrogance perhaps went before Hart, but since arriving at the club he’s shown personality traits a million miles from the persona he seemed to hold down south. Humble for instance is not a word I’d have ever expected to use to describe Joe Hart, yet now it would be in a top three when asked to detail his character.
Outside of Joe Hart however the position of supporting cast to Celtic’s first choice ‘keeper is an interesting one. On one hand it looks like the club have a succession plan in place – Joe Hart at 34 sees out his three-year contract and is either then sharp enough to continue for a short period of time – or young Tobi Oluwayemi, the former Spurs and recent England Under 19 call up, appears highly enough thought of that should he continue his development he’s expected to become Celtic’s number one.
That of course is fine, for three years’ time and if Oluwayemi’s progress continues as expected, but what of the intervening period and what of the of the other ‘keepers currently behind Joe Hart in the pecking order, do we have suitable cover even now?
Scott Bain, it appears is the number two to Joe Hart for now, and you’d assume the plan is to retain him, particularly when you hear he’s a good influence in the changing room, well regarded by his teammates and is the sort of squad player happy just to be at the club and unlikely to rock the boat if he’s not getting gametime. And if Bain has to fill in for a game or two for injury and suspension, you’d assume the team could absorb that. But what if is Hart is ever out for two to three months, can we absorb that? Possibly not when you think back to the ever-changing custodian of the gloves of last season’s living nightmare, of which Bain certainly played his part.
And that takes us on to the others who filled the goal last season. Vasilis Barkas started this season, and bar the season opener, also started the last campaign as first pick. He is probably a good ‘keeper at some level but it’s difficult to see how his confidence can be restored at Celtic to get back to what encouraged us to sign him in the first place, when having started both seasons in pole position, he’s arguably moved to fourth on the grid, and it’s not down to a lack of opportunity. That’s a shame but some people can’t handle Scottish football or the pressure of our club and he looks certainly finished at Celtic.
Conor Hazard by comparison, you could argue has performed better than Barkas but with a smaller sample size. To date however Hazard looks an ordinary ‘keeper and as a number three has perhaps found his level. Yet the heroics in the Quadruple Treble Cup Final win may leave and element of ‘what if’ about the Northern Ireland international. As such is there and argument, at a relatively young age for a goalkeeper, to loan rather than sell and either place him in the shop window, or allow him to find himself some confidence alongside playing time and we judge from there.
With two ‘keepers in Hart and Oluwayemi both seeming secure in the club’s plans and three in Bain, Barkas and Hazard a little more uncertain, it’s worth remembering Celtic also have Ross Doohan, currently out on loan at Tranmere and another four, besides Oluwayemi, at B team level in Ryan Mullen, Kai McLean, Joe Morrison and Ethan Mitchell.
As such is the exit door likely to be busier than the entry door for the foreseeable future when it comes to goalkeepers at Celtic. Well with ten to choose from between the B team and the First team, you’d perhaps assume so, and that a new ‘keeper is possibly far from a priority.
However there remains that nagging doubt – If Hart got injured or drastically lost form, would the benefit of hindsight say a viable back up should have been a priority? Would Bain, Hazard or Barkas cost us points where someone new would not? Is there perhaps and argument to suggest we could also balance what we’ve told Oluwayemi and instead of another ‘keeper putting his nose out of joint and closing off his pathway, would the exits of Bain, Hazard and Barkas -assuming we found takers – placate the youngster enough to allow us a chance to strengthen a key position?
For that to happen of course, we’d have to be satisfied who we get is better than those we have in reserve, and with little track record for finding ‘keepers of late that in itself would take a leap of faith.
Perhaps it’s a pessimistic view, however I can only see real confidence afforded to Joe Hart and Tobi Oluwayemi at present and that creates a clear opportunity for someone to bridge the intervening gap between the experienced hands of Hart and the highly regarded potential of Oluwayemi.
Even if it’s not a position Ange Postecoglou would consider a pressing need, given priorities may lie elsewhere in the January transfer window, it has to a position we look at soon. It is clear quantity over quality is an obvious issue between the sticks at Celtic and there must be a concern it could feasibly cost us.
Niall J
