Major obstacle in Celtic’s plan to bring back former star

Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon, Celtic. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon, Celtic. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

There is a major obstacle in Celtic’s bid to bring back the former star to Parkhead in the upcoming January transfer window.

It is clear that Celtic need to make some major changes if they are to turn their season around. While Neil Lennon has taken the majority of the blame for their disappointing performances, the players deserve to come under the microscope as well.

It was the same set of players who were dominating teams even earlier this year. But their form has suddenly fallen off a cliff and they seem incapable of beating even the weakest of opposition. Is it the pressure of 10IAR? Very possible.

One area that has been a huge weakness this season is between the sticks. After another proposed loan move for Fraser Forster fell through, the club spent £4.5 million on Greek international Vasilis Barkas.

More from Celtic FC News

Till now, he has failed to justify that transfer fee though and has appeared shaky at best whenever given the chance. On the other hand, Scott Bain has never looked like a guy who can regularly start for a club of this size. As a result, it has been widely reported that the Hoops might be looking to make another move to bring back Forster.

The Englishman has had a tough time at Southampton himself. He has not managed to play even a single minute of football this season. So, he might be more open to a move to Parkhead than he was in the summer.

There is one major obstacle in any plan to bring him back though. Southampton allowed Angus Gunn to leave on loan to Stoke City back in October. As a result, if Forster also ends up leaving, then the inexperienced Harry Lewis will be the only back-up to their No. 1 Alex McCarthy.

Thus, it is unlikely that they’ll let him join Celtic on a loan without bringing in a replacement first, although they were open to the idea back in the summer.