Report claims Celtic set for major blow on player Neil Lennon’s ‘desperate’ to have next term

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Celtic are reportedly set for a crushing blow on a player Neil Lennon is “desperate” to have at Parkhead next season, according to The Telegraph.

The outlet claims that Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is going to give Fraser Forster a chance to resurrect his career at the English Premier League club.

The 6ft 7in goalkeeper was frozen out at St Mary’s but his loan switch back at Celtic saw him show what he’s really capable of, not to mention giving his career a new lease of life and helping Celtic to yet more glory.

Forster made 39 appearances for Neil Lennon’s side this term prior to Scottish football being suspended, with the Premiership duly being called as the Hoops became champions once again.

The 32-year-old delivered plenty of superb performances, in particular his masterclasses against Lazio at Celtic Park and against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final.

A report in the Scottish Sun from earlier on Tuesday claimed Lennon is “desperate to secure a deal” for Forster, and was hoping to have an answer by early next week.

However, The Telegraph – citing “sources at Celtic” – claimed later on Tuesday that the Hoops are “no longer confident about getting him back”, as Southampton want to look at him for next season.

The report adds that Hasenhuttl will assess his goalkeepers at the end of the season, with Alex McCarthy guilty of an error against Arsenal which led to a goal, while Angus Gunn started the campaign as first choice but lost his place in October.

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It’s almost baffling to think Forster was frozen out at Southampton for so long, considering just how well he has done back at Celtic, and he would be an incredible re-signing for the Hoops in their mission for ten in a row.

However, an on-loan player’s success away from his parent club is a double-edged sword and, with Southampton having had some goalkeeper issues this season, it makes sense that Hasenhuttl may give the giant stopper another chance in wake of his Hoops heroics.