Fraser Forster was in limbo in the last few seasons at Southampton. The England international had become the third choice custodian at St. Mary’s behind Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn. He even had to train with the u-23s to keep himself fit, and it was unlikely that he would be able to make his way back to the first team.
However, an injury to Scott Bain in August proved to be a blessing in disguise for Forster as Lennon needed to bring in a goalkeeper as he had no first-team options beyond Craig Gordon. Forster’s situation at Southampton gave the Hoops a chance to bring him for a second stint and the 31-year-old has done well so far in goal.
Robinson has his say on Forster
Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper and England international Paul Robinson hailed Forster as a brilliant signing by Celtic. Speaking to Football Insider, he said, ”It’s a brilliant signing because I rate him as a goalkeeper. I thought there is certain flaws in him with his feet and his movement and those types of things, but I think it was an astute signing by Celtic.
”As a goalkeeper, confidence and comfortableness is better for you, obviously, and going back to familiar surroundings at Celtic – I think he was probably that desperate to get out of Southampton at the time he’d have gone anywhere – but when Celtic came knocking it was a no-brainer for him.”
Forster has been the first choice goalkeeper so far as Gordon isn’t the most mobile option in between the sticks. However, Scott Bain is now close to returning so it would be interesting to see who would be the first choice custodian at Parkhead this season. Bain has even gone on to sign a new contract at the club, so it is clear that the Hoops see him as a long term option.
Can Celtic sign Forster permanently?
We feel that Forster is likely to continue as the first choice goalkeeper until and unless he makes some glaring errors in goal. The goalkeeper has also claimed that he will be open to a permanent move to Parkhead in the summer as he cannot say no to a club like Celtic. However, his wages and price tag could be a big issue for the Bhoys.
Forster’s current contract with Southampton runs until 2022, so we think that they are unlikely to sell him for cheap. Given his abilities, we feel that the Saints could value him around £7-8m. It’s hard to see Celtic spending that kind of money to bring in a goalkeeper. Until and unless the Saints put him up on a bargain price and the goalkeeper is willing to take a pay cut, Forster is unlikely to make a permanent move to Parkhead after his loan spell expires.
