Mark Wilson has claimed Celtic will manage to keep Fraser Forster permanently

Add as preferred source on Google

Mark Wilson has told the Ladbrokes Social Club that he believes Celtic will be able to keep goalkeeper Fraser Forster beyond the end of the season, and sign him on a permanent basis from English Premier League side Southampton.

Forster, 31, has starred for Celtic since rejoining the Scottish champions on a season-long loan. The England international has conceded just 13 goals in 20 matches for Celtic, keeping a very impressive nine clean sheets for Neil Lennon’s men.

His best moment for Celtic during his second spell came on Sunday, as the Hoops earned a narrow 1-0 win to beat Rangers in the Betfred Cup final. Christopher Jullien scored the only goal, but Forster made a string of stunning saves.

Forster also saved a penalty from Alfredo Morelos, winning the man-of-the-match award as Celtic won their tenth consecutive trophy. Former Celtic defender Wilson was asked if his old side would keep Forster, and he reckons they can.

“I think they will find a way, I think he has made such a difference,” Wilson said. “He’s done it on the big stage, in European football as well. He’s got such a good relationship with Neil Lennon.

“I was there when Lennon first signed him and they got on great. Celtic are used to spending £9m or £10m on strikers, but he is just as important at the other end. Sunday proved that.”

TBR’s view – Forster would be an incredible signing for Celtic

But there are big obstacles for Celtic to overcome. The first is the transfer fee. The Telegraph has claimed that Southampton will have to pay a whopping £20million or even more to land Forster – obliterating their previous record.

It has been previously believed that Forster was earning as much as £70,000 a week at Southampton, but the Telegraph now claims that Forster is only earning £900,000 a year – or around £17,000 a week – something which is affordable for Celtic.

If the Hoops can look to come to a compromise with Southampton and meet their asking price, then Forster is theirs.