A PS1 million bargain for a man that had played at major tournaments for his country and played at Champions League level - added to that a Premier League winners medal too. For sure, when big Joe boy found the Celtic, it was a match made in footballing heaven. A player who had been practically discarded by the football world found the love and adulation that a goalkeeper of his standing deserved.

That relationship blossomed and was a real coup for the club as we hadn't had our sorrows to seek the previous year when Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain and Conor Hazard were all tried between the sticks for Neil Lennon. It was all in vain as we couldn't get that commanding presence and character behind the defence and a lack of confidence began to seep into every facet of the starting line-up because of this major deficiency during the 2020/21 calendar.

After having the gargantuan frame and imposing figure of Fraser Forster on loan from Southampton beforehand it was a mighty fall for the Celtic supporters to witness. That particular chaos is something that the club must ensure doesn't happen ever again and we remain committed to doing our due diligence and remain pro-active in the transfer market to try and nab the next Joe Hart when the situation presents itself....

Having said that, if he is the best available option this summer then there's no reason that the netminder couldn't serve us well for the next couple of years and give us that sturdy backbone we need for Europe especially.

Paul Gillespie

Gustaf Lagerbielke of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at Feyenoord Stadion de Kuip on September 19, 2023.Photo VI ANP Sport Jeroen Putmans Check out Celticshorts.com for short, sharp, Celtic news and commentary from the makers of The Celtic Star More Stories / Latest News