Celtic manager Neil Lennon has suggested that Celtic are unlikely to make a move for Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster in the January transfer window due to the form his current options.
Forster spent last season out on loan at Celtic in what was his second spell with the Scottish giants, and he played a key role in helping them secure a ninth successive league title keeping 14 clean sheets in 28 appearances (Transfermarkt). However, the Saints kept hold of him in the summer with the 32-year-old filling the role of back-up keeper after Angus Gunn joined Stoke City.
The one-time England international has been linked with a potential return to Celtic ahead of the winter window, with the Scottish giants reportedly considering making a fresh attempt to sign him on loan after missing out on him in the summer. However, it had been reported by the Football Insider that his £70,000-a-week wages could prove to be a stumbling block.
It has now emerged that Lennon is content with his current options in goal following Conor Hazard’s form during the last five matches after establishing himself ahead of Vasilis Barkas in the pecking order. The Hoops boss when speaking to the Daily Record, was keen to point out that he feels a move for Forster or any other keeper in January is not what is needed at the moment.
He said: “At the minute I’m quite content (with goalkeeper options).”
Read Southampton verdict
Lennon is obviously a fan of Forster and he described him as ‘world-class’ during his loan spell with Celtic last season. The Hoops boss wanted to re-sign him in the summer and make him the club’s number one again, but Southampton rightly decided they needed to keep hold of him to provide back-up to McCarthy.
The 32-year-old is firmly the back-up keeper at St Mary’s and that is emphasised by the fact he has not made a single appearance in league or cup so far this campaign. Forster’s long-term future looks to be well away from the Saints, but shifting him this January is going to be both problematic due to his wages and also due to not having a ready-made replacement ready to fill in for him.
It is probably best that Southampton keep hold of him in the winter window and then look to find him a new club in the summer. That would enable them time to assess whether they want to give Gunn another chance or make a move for a new keeper, with Accrington’s Toby Savin having been linked. Forster’s agent might have to look at other destinations now after Celtic’s latest stance.
