Celtic keeper makes Neil Lennon ‘distraction’ admission

To be honest, continuity between the sticks at Celtic would certainly be very welcome and settle debates over first choice. Scott Bain has set out his own views on recent events.

He has been in-and-out of the team, but when taking the season as a whole, he has probably been the Hoops’ first-choice in 2020/21. And he will be hoping that that continues to be the case despite there being a change at the helm.

Bain admitted that the ongoing question marks over Neil Lennon’s role at the club could act as a distraction. He and the rest of the players had tried to remain focussed and put it behind them. As reported by The Scottish Sun, he said:

"“I think it can be a distraction.“I think it had go to a stage where we weren’t really thinking about it.“We went out and tried to do the best we could for him.”"

While confident in his own form, Bain wasn’t making reference to himself when talking about safe hands. He was speaking about John Kennedy in his new temporary manager position:

"“I think he’s a class act and one of the hardest working at the club. He’s always first in and last to leave.“The whole time, he’s left no stone unturned in terms of how to get us prepared for a game.“We’re in very safe, capable hands and I think as the weeks go you’ll see even more from us.”"

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Bain will be looking to remain the starter at Celtic

In terms of his own position, Bain is looking forward to playing more games in the remainder of the league season and maybe some Scottish Cup games too. It has been quite an up-and-down ride so far, being related to third choice behind Hazard and Barkas, seeing Barkas come back in and being named as the first choice and then leapfrogging both to be between the posts in the recent run of games:

"“Any chance I get to play for the club, I always try to do my best.“Whatever my role at the club is, I look to perform and it’s always nice to make saves.”"

The Hoops could certainly do with a solid keeper while the defence is still struggling through lack of form as well as injuries. Bain did well at the weekend on that front against Aberdeen. Maybe there is a safe pair of hands in there.

But he had Hoops fans on the edge of their seats at times when playing the ball out. And he has revealed that he was following orders on a Kennedy preference to play the ball out more from the back:

"“It’s also one of my strengths playing it from the back and finding the right pass.“Mind you, I was a little bit rusty in that area today.“But I think it’s going to come and will click as the games come.”"

Let’s hope so, safe hands, safe feet, making saves when called upon. It’s not a lot to expect from a Celtic keeper. Bain still doesn’t look like the answer on a long-term basis, and it doesn’t look as if Barkas will get another opportunity for a while either. And it would not be a shock to see the club dip into the transfer market for a new goalkeeper in the summer.