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Celtic in danger of missing out on top transfer target

By Sourav Mahanty

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Neil Lennon, Manager of Celtic reacts during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on September 01, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Neil Lennon, Manager of Celtic reacts during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on September 01, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Celtic are in danger of missing out on one of their top transfer targets as an English club have taken the lead in the race for his signature.

Celtic find themselves in a sticky situation right now as it is becoming increasingly clear that the club’s planned move to bring back Fraser Forster has fallen apart. The Hoops would have been very confident that they could entice him back after a successful season at Parkhead after spending the last several seasons on the bench at Southampton. Unfortunately, that appears to be very far from the truth.

Although it is not clear why Forster has decided to shut the door on a Celtic return, the reports suggest that he is keener to fight for a first-team spot at Southampton than return for a 10IAR bid next season. Wages could be huge part of the problem as well as their is no way Celtic could offer him anywhere near what he is making at St Mary’s.

Whatever may be the case, at this point of time, a move looks dead in the water. As a result, the club have started looking at other targets and one whose name has cropped up on a consistent basis is that of another former Celtic goalkeeper in the form of David Marshall.

Marshall broke through the club’s academy and made 50 appearances for the Hoops before moving down South after losing out his place to Artur Boruc. He has carved out a solid career in England though but at 35 years of age, he is not a long-term solution for the club at all. Even then he was reportedly keen on returning and a move appeared on the cards.

That is until news broke out that Stoke City have taken the lead in the race for his signature. According to The Scottish Sun, the Championship club are set to take advantage of Wigan Athletic’s financial troubles and swoop in for Marshall, leaving Celtic’s transfer chances in doubt.

Now Marshall was clearly a target for the Hoops, who only have Scott Bain as a recognised keeper right now, but it is unclear whether they saw him as a first-team option or just a replacement for the outgoing Craig Gordon. As a result, even if Celtic miss out on bring back the former star, it is questionable how big of a loss it will be in reality.

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