Now let me start off by saying I think Fraser Forster has been a tremendous goalkeeper for Celtic over the years. He won us the BetFred Cup last season by producing outstanding save after save and I have lost count of the amount of times he won points for us over the course of the seasons. He has served us well but likewise, Celtic served him well also.
Ten years ago, Celtic plucked the big Englishman from obscurity in Newcastle and took a leap of faith and signed him on loan for a season where he enjoyed some outstanding form. Forster was handed another season loan before signing for Celtic permanently in season 2012 in which he became our No 1 until 2014 when he was eventually sold to Southampton for £9m.
For his first three seasons with the Saints, he cemented his place as their first choice keeper making 124 appearances. But since season 2018 he has only managed 6 appearances to date. This season he has warmed the bench and is finding it difficult to dislodge McCarthy as the No1 choice between the sticks.
Celtic came to the rescue again, when Neil Lennon offered Forster another chance at first team football at Paradise when he brought him back in season 2019 where stayed as the first choice ‘keeper ousting Craig Gordon. It was a move that was pivotal to Celtic not only winning nine in a row but also the Quadruple Treble.
This season we have seen the goalkeeping merry go round with Lennon still trying to figure his best ‘keeper and Forster and at the same time Forster’s availability is being touted in the media. The inevitable stories “linking” him to the Hoops were not far off and Neil Lennon shut down the Fraser Forster “saga” by ruling out signing another ‘keeper in the transfer window in January handing the current three goalkeepers at the club a massive vote of confidence.
He is absolutely 100% correct in this and here is why. Forster still thinks of himself as an EPL goalkeeper. He is not. He has not been since 2017 and even at that he only made 20 starting appearances. Until he realises that, Celtic shouldn’t touch him because he will want to command EPL wages and that is something Celtic cannot afford. He has proven himself at Scottish Premiership level time and again and does not justify EPL £70,000 per week wages.
The second, and most important, factor is he didn’t want to sign for us again. He instead chose to go and fight for his place at a mid table mediocre EPL side and he STILL cannot force his way into the team. This season we do not need passengers. We need players committed to Celtic to wrestle that top spot from our rivals.
We have three goalkeepers that WANT to play for the club. Barkas, Bain and Hazard all want to vie for the No1 jersey and healthy competition will only help these three improve. I genuinely still think Barkas will come good. Once he has a settled defence in front of him I think he will do well. He hasn’t had the chance to build an understanding and rapport with the defence because of the issues we have had at the back. Lennon should show faith in the three keepers we have, just like the board have shown in him.