Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will already be mapping out where to strengthen his squad once the summer transfer window opens for business.
Several positions may be bolstered; however, the most certain priority is between the sticks, owing to Joe Hart’s retirement from professional football at the end of this campaign.
The former England goalkeeper to date has made 143 appearances for Celtic, keeping 59 clean sheets in the process [Transfermarkt].
Nevertheless, new heroes will arise at Parkhead, and there have already been suggestions from media circles across Europe as to who our new number one could be.
Among the frontrunners are Liverpool number two Caoimhin Kelleher, Trabzonspor stopper Ugurcan Cakir and RC Waalwijk goalkeeper Ettiene Vaessen, with the latter potentially available on a free transfer in the summer.
In truth, the first two mentioned may be slightly more difficult to acquire amid the price involved; however, an intriguing new solution to our desire for reinforcements has now been floated.
Norwich City stopper Angus Gunn to Celtic suggestion floated
Norwich City and Scotland’s number one Angus Gunn has enjoyed a solid campaign in the Sky Bet Championship, recording a save percentage rate of 70.8% from 120 shots faced that have been on target inside 32 outings [FBRef].
The 28-year-old is almost guaranteed to be on the plane to EURO 2024 in Germany this year unless he picks up an injury, and his name has been suggested as a potential fix to Celtic’s goalkeeping dilemma.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, a caller’s suggestion that Celtic should target Gunn received approval from pundit Barry Ferguson, who laid out the conditions that the Bhoys would need to overcome in the event of any potential deal.
He stated: “It’s a good shout. I didn’t think he had the best of games against the Netherlands but he’s certainly impressed me since coming into the international spot.
“He’s a good goalkeeper, and he’s playing at a good level down there. But it will all depend if they do get into the playoffs and get into the Premier League because there’s no way it’s going to cross his mind to leave Norwich.
“But if they don’t get promoted, then I think it could be one that Celtic would certainly would look at because he’s a very good goalkeeper.”
Gunn is an experienced figure who stands at an imposing 6ft 5in, and there are certain merits to the possibility of the ex-Manchester City youth coming in as Hart’s replacement.
Regardless, affordability will likely determine whether Rodgers would make a move, though he is out of contract in 2025, which may throw us a bone in that respect, per Transfermarkt.
Either way, taking care of what is left of this season comes first before we examine the market for a new goalkeeper in a few month’s time.