Forster proves a wiser choice last year than Sandomierski

News that Fraser Forster has signed a long term contract with Celtic, who will pay Newcastle United £2m for his services, adds some welcome stability ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.  Buying a new, first-choice, keeper is fraught with the kind of difficulties Neil Lennon would rather avoid.

Last summer we looked at Croatian international Stipe Pletikosa, who performed at the European Championships, but he failed to impress during his trial period at Celtic, including a poor performance against Wolves at Celtic Park.

Last year we also looked at Polish cap, Gregorz Sandomierski, who subsequently went to Belgian club racing Genk for €3m, but he failed to make a competitive appearance for Genk and was shipped back to Poland on loan. By comparison, Forster, who turned 24 on St Patrick’s Day, cemented his place with the champions.

Last year Celtic concluded a provisional deal with Newcastle to sign Fraser on a permanent deal this summer but although player and club were both keen to do business, negotiations took until the end of the players’ summer break, perhaps reflecting a tightening of Celtic’s finances ahead of what could be a period of financial uncertainty in the Scottish game.