Swiss Shotstopper Added To Celtic’s Goalkeeper Target List

0

MANY names have been linked with the vacant goalkeeper position at Celtic since the end of the season. Kasper Schmeichel, who already has a working relationship with manager Brendan Rodgers, remains on the minds of supporters.

But the most recent name to be added to that list is that of Yvon Mvogo, currently plying his trade with Lorient and featuring in Euro 2024 against England.

According to reports, Lorient has said that the 30-year-old will be allowed to move on and ply his trade elsewhere. Mvogo would come in as a replacement for now-retired Joe Hart and ahead of another Swiss goalkeeper, Benji Siegrist.

Siegrist recently announced that he had agreed to a free transfer to Australia, where he would be moving with his partner to start a new life. The shotstopper didn’t turn up for the Hoops’ friendly draw against Ayr last week, but no official announcement has been made about his future and he officially remains on the books at Celtic.

He played for part of the friendly against Queen’s Park during the week when the champions won 6-4.

Celtic and Scottish football fans are preparing for the start of the new season. With Celtic odds on favourites to lift the trophy again next season, some punters are looking for better value bets, and one such betting opportunity is who will be between the goal sticks for Celtic for the 2024/25 season.

Celtic fans have the opportunity to wager in person during matches, or via sportsbooks online. When choosing online sites, fans can opt for domestic sites in the UK or international Non-GamStop sites.

Non GamStop betting sites offer punters the chance to place wagers on sporting events without having to register their personal details. And, according to iGaming writer Kane Pepi, these sites can offer attractive odds on a surprisingly wide range of sporting events and matches, as well as real money online casino games. Football fans and sports bettors are eagerly anticipating who the Celtics will put in as their new goalkeeper, as this may impact the success, and odds, of the coming season.

Joe Hart joined Celtic in August 2021 and was immediately installed as first-choice No.1. He went on to pick up seven trophies including a third successive title last season. The 75 times-capped England international announced in February that the 2023/24 season would be his last. Following his retirement, Hart went on to become a pundit for the BBC during Euro 24.

Since Hart’s retirement, several names have been linked with the vacant goalkeeper position. The favourites for the spot are thought to be Martin Dubravka and Schmeichel.

It is believed that Slovakian Dubravka’s representatives have already held preliminary talks with the powers-that-be at Celtic. He currently plays at Newcastle, but is arguably the fourth or fifth choice at the Tyneside club.

However, the netminder comes in for some criticism for his tendency to punch the ball clear, rather than catch it, which is potentially why he is facing the cold shoulder at Newcastle. And, at 35, it may be too late to hope to change his ways.

Schmeichel has a history with manager Rodgers, having managed the Dane while in charge at Leicester. But, if Dubravka is considered a little too old at 35, then Schmeichel’s 38th birthday later this year will do little to endear him to the manager or fans.

After the Ayr game, Rodgers said that Schmeichel is a very, very good keeper but also said that he would not be pressed for names.

Yvon Mvogo is, at least, younger than both Schmeichel and Dubravka. The 30-year-old was No.1 at Lorient last season, but following their relegation, he may be up for a new challenge and taking over from Hart and a stint in Glasgow could make sense. It is believed that Celtic will have to compete with the likes of Parma and Nantes to get the Swiss stopper’s signature, though.

Another name that could be added to the list of potential signings between the sticks is that of Vaclav Hladky. Newly promoted Ipswich announced that the club could not reach an agreement with the Czech keeper over terms for a new deal.

Celtic have been linked with the keeper in the past, and considering their current lack of a first-choice keeper, that link is only likely to resurface now.

Celtic have Scott Bain, who started the recent friendly against Ayr United. Bain is 32 years old and has previously played for Aberdeen and Dundee. He signed an extension to his deal in 2023, which keeps him at the club until 2026.

Bain has made a total of 78 appearances since arriving at Celtic in 2018 and has kept 40 clean sheets in the process. Having joined the club on loan during Rodgers’s first stint as manager, he went on to make the deal permanent.

He makes a decent understudy, but it is unlikely he is of the calibre Celtics need to continue their title-winning ways and Rodgers will be looking to find a new No. 1.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author