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News
Charlie Mulgrew underlines importance Celtic make signing, compares to Rangers mainstay
Charlie Mulgrew has told the Mail – – that Celtic have got to sign a new goalkeeper after Vasilis Barkas has failed to make the grade – underlining just how important it is with the example of Rangers veteran Allan McGregor.
Barkas’ stats are decent. He has kept nine clean sheets in 21 games and conceded 20 goals, but it was his performances in the big games that came under scrutiny. It was his lack of a commanding aura in the Celtic box that has seen Scott Bain play since.
But Bain is not the answer, and neither is Conor Hazard. Celtic need a goalkeeper, among many other positions, with a big summer overhaul expected. Odsonne Edouard, Kris Ajer, Ryan Christie and more are being linked with the exit door.
Scott Brown is already leaving, while all the on-loan players are likely to go – Shane Duffy has also been confirmed as departing, returning to Brighton. Mulgrew has urged Celtic to sign a goalkeeper, using Rangers stopper McGregor as an example.
“Goalkeeper is definitely an area Celtic need to improve on,” “The club’s had so many good goalies in the past. Whenever Celtic have been successful, they’ve always had a right good keeper. It has been the same with Rangers as well.
“It’s such an important position. Look at what McGregor has done for Rangers. His save in Old Firm game from Elyounoussi was fantastic. McGregor has given Rangers’ backline real confidence and that’s something Celtic have badly missed.”
TBR’s view – Celtic need someone tried and tested
Bringing in goalkeepers for big money from the European scene is all well and good, if they hit the ground running. But it is risky, the Scottish game is physical and fast-paced and clearly that has seen Barkas struggle.
Signing someone from British football is crucial when it comes to landing a goalkeeper. Fraser Forster would of course be ideal and if Southampton are willing to let him go, that should be Celtic’s first port of call.
But above all, signing a goalkeeper that is proven in either Scotland or England should be ideal – purely because of the physicality of the game on these shores, which Barkas has failed to get to grips with.
