Hoops keeping an eye on the Woodman situation at Newcastle

NEWCASTLE United shotstopper Freddie Woodman is believed to be on Celtic’s transfer shortlist this summer.

Woodman has been on loan at Swansea City in the Sky Bet Championship this term and Steve Bruce has already hinted the Magpies will allow him to leave on a temporary basis again next season.

Woodman still has another year left on his contract on Tyneside after signing an extension last summer.

However, his short-term future with United looks ominous given Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow are battling for the No 1 spot and Bruce signed a No 3 in Mark Gillespie from Motherwell on a free transfer last week.

The 28-year-old has been drafted in to increase competition after the departure of long-serving Republic of Ireland international Rob Elliot.

Woodman is more than capable of stepping up to the Scottish Premiership after loan spells with Kilmarnock and Aberdeen earlier in his career.

Celtic have held a long-term interest in Woodman but whether they can guarantee first-team action remains to be seen.

The Hoops lost Fraser Forster last week after the ex-Toon reserve shotstopper vowed to fight for his place with Southampton.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon said: “We would dearly love Fraser back here but if that is not the case then we will look elsewhere.

“Fraser did wonderful things for us last season and he has big gloves to fill.”

When asked about Woodman’s future last week Bruce said: “Freddie is in that situation where he wants to play. So we will review the whole situation.”