Former Rangers striker Gordon Dalziel feels Celtic can learn a thing or two from their Scottish Premiership title rivals with a new goalkeeper required at Parkhead following Joe Hart’s retirement.
By Allan McGregor’s own admission, Rangers handled the succession plan for a legendary shot-stopper pretty well indeed.
In Jack Butland, Ibrox is home to the finest shot-stopper in the division these days, the England international snapped up on a free transfer from Crystal Palace and producing a host of virtuoso displays for a Gers side now top of the table and with a Europa League last-16 clash to look forward to.
Celtic can learn from Rangers in goalkeeper search
It’s fair to that Celtic, when it comes to signing goalkeepers, have had more misses than hits by comparison. Joe Hart might have rebuild his reputation north of the border but neither Scott Bain nor Benjamin Siegrist have made the grade.
The tearing up of Vasilis Barkas’ contract, meanwhile, saw the Hoops make a £4.5 million loss on a man who has been far more impressive in the Eredivisie than he ever was in Glasgow.
“See if you’re Celtic? “You would nip over to Rangers, have a wee look in the drawer and see the list of goalkeepers they’ve got,” Dalziel tells Clyde SuperScoreboard after hearing the news of Hart’s imminent retirement.
“Because one thing you’ve got to say about Rangers is they can pick a goalkeeper, can’t they?
“You look over the years at Rangers goalkeepers, they’ve been excellent. Celtic have dipped into that with Bain has come in, Barkas has come in, (Dorus) De Vries has come in and then even Joe Hart has come in and got a bit of criticism.
“I think it’s a big, big call for Celtic to go and get somebody that’s top quality.”
Joe Hart is retiring
Rangers may be in the market for a goalkeeper themselves this summer. Philippe Clement would be loathe to let Butland go but clubs from across the continent are showing an interest (TEAMtalk).
The Daily Record reports that Will Dennis has been scouted at Ibrox. Dennis, on loan at Kilmarnock from AFC Bournemouth, has been a revelation this term and followed up his clean sheet against The Gers in August with a stellar display in last week’s 1-1 draw at Parkhead.
