SAVING GRACE
Celtic closing in on green light for new Forster loan
FRASER FORSTER’S future will be clarified in the next 48 hours with Celtic hopeful they can secure another loan deal for the Southampton goalkeeper.
The England international was a revelation after returning to Parkhead last season, with a career-best display in the Betfred Cup final against Rangers the highlight.
Forster made no secret of his desire to eventually make the move permanent this summer before the coronavirus pandemic curtailed the season and changed the landscape of the transfer market.
Although a permanent switch now seems unlikely, Celtic are optimistic that they can secure the
32-year-old’s services on loan for another year. Despite being contracted to Southampton for a further two seasons, Forster appears to have no future on the south coast having made just one appearance in the past two years. With Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn vying for the No 1 jersey under boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, Saints are keen to offload a sizeable percentage of Forster’s wages — with Celtic believing that a compromise can be struck. Hexham-born Forster initially joined Celtic on loan from Newcastle during Neil Lennon’s first spell in charge before completing a £2.5million switch. He joined Southampton for £10m in 2014 but gradually lost his No 1 status through injury and multiple changes of manager at the English Premier League side. Upon returning to Glasgow last August, he quickly picked up where he left off, performing impressively in the Europa League and domestically as Lennon’s side closed out a ninth successive title. With Craig Gordon yet to be offered a new deal, Scott Bain is Lennon’s only senior keeper ahead of training resuming on June 11. While a deal for Forster is a top priority, Celtic will look at other options if Southampton refuse to facilitate it. In recent days, the club has been linked with Manchester City’s Claudio Bravo, Watford’s Ben Foster and Burnley’s Joe Hart. Another loan deal for Mohamed Elyounoussi from Southampton looks less likely, with Hasenhuttl thought to view the £16m signing as worthy of a run in his side.