According to the reports from the Chronicle, Celtic are one of the clubs who have been keeping track of Newcastle United’s custodian Freddie Woodman. The English goalkeeper will soon enter the final year of his contract, and with Martin Dubravka going strength to strength at St. James’ Park, Benitez might have to offload the promising goalkeeper in the summer.
Apart from the Hoops, Arsenal, Everton and Fulham are also said to be interested in this u-20 World Cup winner. Woodman has managed just three appearances in the FA Cup this season, and it is unlikely that he would feature in the Premier League this campaign.
Craig Gordon is already 36, and one can understand why Celtic might be after a new goalkeeper. The former Sunderland shot-stopper appears to be on a downward trajectory, and the more agile Scott Bain has replaced him in goal for club and country.
The veteran stopper is contracted until 2020 but signing someone like Woodman would be a massive boost for Celtic as he has all the qualities of a top goalkeeper. However, that could mean that Scott Bain might again have to take up the role of a deputy custodian which would be mostly unfair on him as he has done exceedingly well since the winter break.
Woodman too might not come to a club where he wouldn’t be getting regular playing minutes. Arenal and Everton have decent options in goal, so Celtic might have the edge over the Premier League clubs to sign him. But we feel that the Bhoys will have to make the custodian no. 1 choice to attract him to Parkhead.
Woodman’s claim to fame happened when he won the FIFA u-20 World Cup with England for the first time in their history. He played a decisive role in the final as he saved a spot-kick from Venezuela late in the game and England held on to a narrow 1-0 win. The 22-year-old went on to win the golden glove during that tournament, and since then, he is seen as a future England international.
However, that could only happen if he starts playing regularly at the club level and the goalkeeper should be cautious about choosing his next club. Celtic can be a great prospect without a doubt, but he might not be a guaranteed starter straightaway at the club. Neil Lennon though should look to sign the shot-stopper as Gordon is slowly going past his prime and someone like Woodman would add more competition for places at Parkhead.
