FORMER Celtic star Davie Provan has urged Ange Postecoglou to snap up Davie Marshall from Derby County.
The ex-Hoops No.1 is on the way out at the Championship outfit after boss Wayne Rooney dropped him to third in the pecking order.
Marshall, 36, who played in all three of Scotland Euro ties in the summer against the Czech Republic, England and Croatia, has been linked with a return on several occasions after quitting for Norwich City in 2007 after losing his first-team place to Artur Boruc.
One-time fans’ favourite Provan, now a top media pundit, believes Postecoglou could get the experienced netminder “for nothing, probably” with the 47 times-capped Glaswegian moving into the last year of his contract.
IN THE NET…David Marshall can’t prevent the Czech Republic’s second goal at Hampden in June.
MAKING HIS POINT…Joe Hart directs his defence during the 3-0 win over Jablonec.
The former winger believes the arrival of Marshall would set up an intriguing challenge with 34-year-old ex-England international shotstopper Joe Hart who has just arrived following his £1million switch from Spurs.
Provan, speaking to Go Radio, said: “Wayne Rooney has made it clear that David Marshall has finished at Derby. Would it not make sense for Celtic to go and get David Marshall?
“And get him for nothing, probably, and have him and Joe Hart fighting for the gloves?
“Vasilis Barkas is going, isn’t he? The sooner the better. Not just for Celtic, but for Barkas, as well.
“And, hopefully, his agent is working on a deal for him now to move him on.
“And that would leave room and I think David Marshall would make sense.”
GREEK TRAGEDY…Vasilis Barkas fails to save a free-kick from Evander (No.10) to push Celtic a step closer to Champions League exit.
Barkas, a colossal flop since his £4.5million arrival from AEK Athens last summer, was given the opportunity to impress Postecoglou at the start of the season when the incoming Hoops boss stressed every player started with a clean slate.
Unfortunately, the blundering Greek presented FC Midtjylland with the equaliser in the 1-1 draw in Glasgow and the team lost 2-1 in extra-time in Denmark for a very expensive exit from the Champions League at the first hurdle.
Scott Bain played in the second leg and kept his place for the 2-1 opening Premiership defeat against Hearts at Tynecastle where his positioning was questioned at the late winner resulting from a left-wing free-kick where, to be fair, he was afforded scant protection from Nir Bitton and Co in front of him.
Hart has played the last three games and will be in goal again tomorrow afternoon in the League Cup opener against the Edinburgh club.
