BRENDAN RODGERS has paid a glowing tribute to Scott Bain after Celtic confirmed the keeper’s seven-and-a-half year career at the club was over.
The 33-year-old former Scotland international shotstopper agreed an early deal to move on with 12 months still to run on his contract, as CQN reported earlier this week.
Bain won 14 honours during that period after initially arriving at Parkhead on a loan deal from Dundee in January 2018.
In his first time-around stint, Rodgers made the switch permanent and Bain went onto play for Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou before the Irishman returned almost two years ago.
UP FOR THE CUP…Scott Bain yells with delight as he holds aloft the 2019 Scottish Cup, one of 14 honours he won at Celtic.
As the popular netminder prepares for life away from the champions, Rodgers said: “Scott has given everything to Celtic and I would like to thank him sincerely for his time at the club.
“He has been a valued member of the squad and a great team-mate, really liked and respected by us all.
“Everyone at the club wishes Scott and his family all the very best for the future.”
Bain, speaking to the Celtic website, continued: “I am really sad, of course, to be leaving the club, but I am so thankful, too, for everything the club has given me.
“I have enjoyed my time at Celtic massively and it has been a huge honour to be part of the biggest and best club in the country.
“I would like to thank the gaffer and all the other managers I’ve worked with, my many team-mates over the years and all the staff at Celtic.
“I’ve made some great friends at Celtic and will always be supporting the club in everything it does.”
The keeper added: “The Celtic fans are the best around and I thank them for all the support I have been given by them, too.
“I wish the club and our supporters nothing but success for the future.”
A SAD FAREWELL…Scott Bain consoles crestfallen captain Callum McGregor at the end of the Scottish Cup Final disappointment against Aberdeen last weekend.
Bain won seven league titles, four League Cups and three Scottish Cups in his Hoops career.
He had a memorable debut in a derby encounter at Ibrox in March 2018 when he answered an SOS from Rodgers after Craig Gordon and Dorus de Vries were ruled out through injury. Jozo Simunovic was red-carded, but Odsonne Edouard netted the decisive goal in a 3-2 win.
Bain played his part with a brilliant save from Alfredo Morelos at a crucial stage of a topsy-turvy encounter.
That was the first of 78 appearances for the club, while he also gained three senior caps for his country.
