Celtic’s need to replace Joe Hart took a violent shove last week after the veteran keeper announced his intention to retire at the end of the season.
Hart has been immense for Celtic over the past three seasons and he has helped the club dominate Scottish football by winning five trophies out of six over Ange Postecoglou‘s tenure.
But now that the Hoops keeper is set to depart in the summer, Brendan Rodgers has the unenviable task of replacing a player who has been heavily relied upon over the past two and a half seasons.
So who could possibly be in the frame? Are Celtic’s scouts working overtime to find the right man for the position? Who knows, but one player as emerged as a possible favourite to replace the Treble-winning keeper.
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher to Celtic
The Celtic manager will need to spend a fair chunk of change in the summer and, let’s face it, we can afford it.
And this is one appointment we can’t get wrong. Remember Vasilis Barkas? Well, it does seem as though Kelleher could be an option as he has emerged as a favourite to go to Paradise.
Valued at £20m, Kelleher’s future at Liverpool seems to be in question and bookmaker, Neil Roarty says that Celtic are the favourites to be the Republic of Ireland international’s next destination.
Roarty said, “Caoimhin Kelleher’s performance in the Carabao Cup final and subsequent future has been one of the many subplots to emerge from Sunday’s drama, with Celtic looking like potential suitors should the Irish goalkeeper leave Liverpool this summer.
“The Scottish champions are the 9/4 favourites to be Kelleher’s next club, followed by Premier League outfits Nottingham Forest (3/1) and Wolves (7/1).” (safebettingsites.com)
Celtic deal for Caoimhin Kelleher?
Let’s face it, any deal that will be done is more likely to be a loan deal because Celtic will never pay the £20m+ that Kelleher is valued at.
Reportedly on just £32k per week (Salary Sport) Celtic could easily cover Kelleher’s wages for a full season if need be.
With just over a year left on his current deal, Kelleher’s value diminishes by the month so Liverpool will either offer him a new deal or look to offload him before his contract expires.
Will Celtic broker a deal for the stopper? We certainly hope so. Kelleher has quality and that is exacty what Rodgers has been going on about for the last four months.