Celtic Or Newcastle United – What Next For Fraser Forster?
Posted on April 13th, 2012 | 146 Comments |
The big keeper has in the past been the target for some unfair and unhelpful comments from some sections of the United support. Personally, and as a plastic Celtic fan who probably has seen more of him than most, I rate the lad highly, and would much prefer to see him back at United next season, where I think he could give Tim Krul some serious competition for the No1 spot.
Forster has done well at Celtic, and has developed into a very good keeper. Neil Lennon, Manager of the Scottish Champions also rates him highly, and has already begun to set out his stall with a view to taking him permanently. This of course will depend on what view the United heirarchy take. It will also depend on whether any silly money is put on the table for Tim Krul’s services this summer – it has been rumoured, for example, that Tottenham Hotspur see him as an ideal replacement for the ageing Brad Friedel. I’m sure they do! But whether they have enough money to buy him is another matter! They can always have Rob Elliot of course.
Apparently, Forster has ambitions to play for England, and is worried that staying in Scotland might limit his chances to break into the international scene. Neil Lennon however, thinks the opposite – that signing for Celtic permanently would actually enhance Forster’s international chances.
Lennon – speaking in Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge, before joining Sir Ian Botham on a charity walk in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, told the Glasgow Evening Times:
“The exposure he gets up here is fantastic and if he is good enough he will get picked, and we all believe that he is good enough”
“He is only 24, so in terms of goalkeeping that is very, very young and he has got great potential and a great career ahead of him if he keeps doing the right things.
“We are hoping to speak to his agent and Fraser himself in the next few weeks.
“He knows we are very keen to get things tied up with him as he has had a fantastic two seasons here.”
Referring to events after the 6-0 win last weekend which secured the SPL Championship for Celtic, Lennon went on to say:
“The feeling he may have got last Saturday…I think it would be very difficult for him to leave here now”
“He is making all the right noises at the minute, so it is a case of getting things sorted out. We have been gradually speaking about things over the piece.
“We didn’t want to put him under any pressure going for the championship, but now that’s behind us, we will get the weekend out of the way and hopefully get things moving in the next couple of weeks.”
It’s worrying that Neil thinks he only has to discuss a deal with the player and his agent. It sounds as if United might already have sanctioned a move. That may be wide of the mark of course, as United have yet to respond to Lennon’s overtures. I hope this is just some early drum-banging from Celtic – as given the choice between Elliott and Forster, I know which one I would rather see in the Keeper’s jersey at St James’ Park.
NUFCBlog Author: UTD111
UTD111 has written 59 articles on this blog.
A £2 million future fee was agreed when the loan deal was signed at the start of the season; that’s why Celtic don’t have to negotiate with Newcastle.