Celtic may get the chance to snap up another experienced goalkeeper to replace Kasper Schmeichel, with a new free agent set to hit the market.
The Bhoys are in need of a new keeper this summer after Schmeichel decided to hang up his boots. Viljami Sinisalo filled in at the end of the season just gone, but Martin O'Neill is going to want to add another option between the sticks.
.Ortega option
Celtic will have options this summer, and there are some cheap or free options, too with Illan Meslier leaving Leeds United at the end of his contract, for example.
Or the Hoops could go out and pay for a goalkeeper, which is certainly not out of the question. But if they are looking for another experienced hand to replace Schmeichel, one option could be Stefan Ortega, who will be available for free this summer.
Ortega was previously linked with the Bhoys towards the very end of his Manchester City stay, and he has since spent time at Nottngham Forest, slotting in to offer a helping hand after joining the East Midlands side for the second half of the season.
At 33 years of age, Ortega is back on the lookout for a new club having been designated to leave Forest when his short-term deal expires at the end of this month. Naturally, Celtic are already free to reach out and agree a deal if they so choose, although they are unlikely to press ahead with any transfer plans until Martin O'Neill's appointment is confirmed.
The wait for that particular domino to fall continues on, but when it does, Celtic are expected to do significant business this summer. Ortega could form part of that, and given the success Celtic have had in signing one veteran former Man City keeper in Schmeichel, it may not be a bad idea to attempt the same trick again here.
Guardiola on Ortega
Pep Guardiola regularly praised Ortega when he filled in for Ederson during his City days. After Ortega's famous save against Heung-min Son to effectively win City the title, Guardiola said: “Do you know how many times Son punished us in the last seven, eight years? Can I tell you how many goals he scored against us with Harry Kane? Oh my God, and I said ‘not again,’ but Stefan makes an incredible save. It was amazing but he has this talent.
“In the one-against-one, he is one of the best keepers I have ever seen in my life. Stand up, don’t go down and he is so, so, good. Playing FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and even this season Ederson had four times setbacks for injuries and always he was so reliable. He is an incredible keeper so the club and our trainer made an incredible decision to bring him here.”
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