NEIL LENNON has shot down speculation there could be a Celtic return for Fraser Forster in next month’s transfer window.
The goalkeeping position has been a No.1 problem for the Hoops boss this season with Vasilis Barkas, a £4.5million summer recruit from AEK Athens, failing to impress.
Scott Bain has been unconvincing, too, which has forced Lennon to turn to third-choice Conor Hazard and the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international has now played the last five games while emerging as the team’s Hampden hero in the penalty-kick shoot-out win over Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final to clinch the quadruple treble.
The rookie netminder will play against Dundee United at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon as the Hoops bring down the curtain on an eventful 2020.
It looks as though Lennon is now pinning his faith in Hazard which will leave fans’ favourite Forster as stand-by at Southampton where he has failed to play even a minute in the first team this season.
The Hoops gaffer is satisfied with his goalkeeping options and, speaking to the media, insisted: “At the minute, I’m quite content.”
Lennon also feels his squad are in good shape as they prepare for the visit of the Tayside outfit who made life difficult at Tannadice earlier in the season before Albian Ajeti scored a late winner with his first goal for the club.
Looking at the 3-0 win over Hamilton Accies at the weekend, he added: “Saturday was the best we’ve played in a while, I was absolutely delighted with the performance. A real will-to-win and it was a real good step in the right direction.
“We are playing a good side tomorrow. They’ve got good strikers. I think it’ll be a really good game and then another big game at the weekend.
“We’ve put a decent run together and players are starting to find their feet and form. Winning the Scottish Cup Final was a huge lift for them and they seem to be playing with a lot more freedom – the style of football we want from them.”
