DEAL ME IN
Forster admits he’d love to make Celts loan deal permanent
Fraser Forster last night urged Celtic to make his move to Parkhead permanent.
the on- l oan southampton goalkeeper is enjoying a new lease of life in his second spell at the Glasgow giants after falling out of favour at st Mary’s.
Forster was singled out for praise by Neil Lennon for his miracle saves in last week’s 2-1 europa League triumph over Lazio.
and while he would likely need to take a hit in wages from his english Premier League salary to remain in scotland permanently when the transfer window opens in January, the towering keeper
is keenly aware that you can’t put a price on happiness. He would love for Lennon and Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell to make him an offer he can’t refuse, and said: ‘It is so early in the season but, for me, I would never ever say no to this club. ‘It’s just the relationship I have with everyone here — the fans, people within the club and the coaching staff. ‘That was the big thing for me in the summer when I had to get back out playing again. I just wanted to go somewhere where I felt wanted. I’ve not had that for a long time. ‘I had some tough times down there — training with the Under-23s and being away from the first team. So to come back to a club like this is fantastic. I’d never say no to this club. ‘But it is early doors and a lot of it is out of my hands. We will just have to wait and see.’ James Forrest, meanwhile, is close to signing a contract extension to keep him at Parkhead beyond his current deal, which ends in 2022. The 28-year-old Scotland international winger has been at Celtic since the age of nine and he dreams of playing out his entire career as a one-club man. ‘We started talking at the start of the summer when the transfer window was still open and it is near enough done now,’ said Forrest, who has won 17 major trophies as a Celtic player in what has been a glittering career to date. ‘Everything is basically agreed and I don’t see why it can’t be done in the next week or maybe over the next couple of weeks. ‘I would be delighted to get it done really soon and then I can just keep focusing on playing football. ‘I’ve always stated that I want to stay at Celtic and the club have said the same thing. That gives me confidence when I go out to play. ‘I love being here at Celtic and I want to stay here as long as I can.’