Celtic have been backed to look at a Premier League alternative if Neil Lennon is unable to secure his first choice keeper in the shape of Fraser Forster.
Speaking to Football Insider, former top flight striker, Noel Whelan, has backed Claudio Bravo to meet the Hoops requirements should the rumours linking the Manchester City keeper with a move be true.
So what has Whelan said?
When asked to comment on Lennon’s search for a top class keeper to build his side’s bid for 10-in-row on, he said:
“They are looking at experienced goalkeepers.
“Neil Lennon is looking for somebody that has got a wealth of experience. They want somebody that knows the game and knows how to command the back four.
“You have got to have a goalkeeper you can trust. It gives confidence to the back four. They need to know they have got somebody secure in between the sticks who is talking all the time – that comes with experience.
“You do not look any further than Claudio Bravo. He has immense experience.”
So is Whelan correct?
Absolutely, Scott Bain is a decent keeper and has proven to be an able deputy when Craig Gordon got injured in 2018/19 but Lennon won’t want to go into such a big season with him as his number one.
There is speculation that Southampton may either allow Forster to leave for a reduced fee or entertain another loan deal for the giant stopper, given his familiarity of the Scottish game and Celtic in general, this has to be the priority for the recruitment team.
If, for whatever reason, Forster can’t return, a player of Bravo’s quality would more than compensate for his loss, whether or not he would entertain moving north of the border is another matter altogether but his profile is exactly what Celtic need.
Lennon’s priority for next season is to keep his key players and although Forster might not be his player, retaining his services could just about be the most important signing of the summer.