The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Delighted’ Bain signs four-year Hoops deal
CELTIC: Injured keeper Craig Gordon unlikely to face Aberdeen on Sunday
Dundee keeper Scott Bain has signed a four-year deal with Celtic.
The 26-year-old has been on loan at Parkhead since the end of the January transfer window and Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers has now snapped him up on a permanent deal until 2022.
Earlier this season Bain found himself frozen out at Dens following an alleged bust-up with Dark Blues manager Neil McCann.
The goalie was then loaned to Hibs at the start of this year but moved again a few weeks later to Celtic in a complicated three-way move involving Simon Murray and Scott Allan.
Bain went on to make his debut for the Hoops in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox in March and has now made another five starting appearances for them.
The keeper said after signing his new deal: “I’m delighted. It’s more than I obviously expected when I first came in. “I’m over the moon. “I don’t think it could have gone any better. It’s funny, there’s a lot of little things that went my way to get to Celtic on loan and then to play the game against Rangers, which sent me on my way to this four-year deal. It’s been great and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
With Bain out of contract at the end of this season, Dundee are not entitled to any fee for the player, who was originally signed for the Dark Blues by former boss Paul Hartley from part-time Alloa in May 2014.
Rodgers meanwhile has revealed No 1 keeper Craig Gordon is “highly unlikely” to face Aberdeen on Sunday but is confident of having him back for the William Hill Scottish Cup final.
The Hoops keeper has missed the last two games with a knee problem with Bain again deputising in the goalless draw against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.
The champions will be presented with their Ladbrokes Premiership trophy after the game against the Dons in what is sure to be a sell-out Celtic Park before they start preparing for the showpiece finale against Motherwell at Hampden Park, as they look to complete an unprecedented successive treble.
Asked if he was confident that Gordon would be ready for the final against Well, Rodgers said: “Yes. It was just a case of getting Scott some game time as well and letting Craig try to give it every possible chance because he is a big player for us.
“Our plan was to close him down for the three games this week and see where he is at the beginning of next week.”
Rodgers also expects striker Leigh Griffiths to be available for the Aberdeen match after missing the last two matches with illness.
“He should be (back), yes,” said the Northern Irishman.