Investing in a new keeper has to be Celts’ No.1 priority

CELTIC need to push the boat out and sign a tried and trusted goalkeeper next month to have any chance of remaining No.1 in the Premiership.

The champions have failed to replace Fraser Forster since he returned to Southampton last summer.

There has been talk of a move to bring Forster back. As it stands, that’s unlikely to happen.

Forster was unhappy with the way his situation was handled. Celtic had agreed a loan but Forster made it clear he was only interested in a permanent move.

He’s since gone back to Southampton although he is still on the bench.

Forster would be ideal but it looks unlikely, unless Celtic were to put up the money to sign him permanently.

The one thing Celtic need is somebody who is experienced in the British game and could come in and hit the ground running.

If I were Neil Lennon I would be on to Brendan Rodgers for a favour. I’d be asking the question about Danny Ward.

The former Liverpool keeper came up to Aberdeen and was an absolute stand-out.

He has had a few games for the Foxes this season because Kasper Schmeichel has been their undisputed No.1.

The Dane looks unlikely to be dislodged and the other thing for Ward is playing regularly would give him a chance to push to play at Euro 2020 with Wales.

Another option could be Darren Randolph. The former Motherwell keeper is another who has impressed in the Scottish top flight.

He is not playing at West Ham as Lukasz Fabianski is David Moyes’ first pick.

Celtic might need to dig deep for one of these targets but it would be a small price if it helped them get back in the fight for 10 in a row.

Dundee United’s Benjamin Siegrist has also been linked but that was dismissed by Celtic last week.

They splashed the cash to bring in Vasilis Barkas from AEK Athens but he has failed to rise to occasion, thus far.

Okay, the defence in front of him has hardly helped him to settle.

Confidence has seeped out of their defenders and keepers in the process.

Barkas has been relegated to the bench but you can’t help think it is only his price that is keeping him there ahead of Scott Bain.

Bain has also had his chance this season but it

At Hampden Hazard looked nervy and was at fault for at least one goal

is clear he’s seen more as a back-up. Conor Hazard has now been thrown into the fold. The young Northern Irishman was the Scottish Cup Final penalty shootout hero.

He deserves his moment of glory but I’m not convinced he is ready to be Celtic No.1.

Hazard looked nervy at Hampden and was at fault for at least one of the goals. Ross Doohan, who is currently on loan at Ross County, would actually be a safer bet.

Chasing Rangers, Celtic have three games in hand but there looks ittle room for much further error. If Celtic can get through the festive period unscathed and into the Rangers game they have to look at their goalkeeping position.