Scott Bain’s Default Celtic Squad Status

As Celtic players begin trickling back to Lennoxtown this week, the club faces a pressing issue: who will be the first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming season? With Scott Bain currently the top option, the situation demands immediate attention.

It has been a month since Celtic celebrated their league and cup double, a period marked by Joe Hart’s retirement. The former Manchester City star left big gloves to fill, and the search for his successor has been both intense and fruitless. Despite numerous links to potential goalkeepers, no concrete signings have been made, leading to slight unease among supporters.

Celtic’s pre-season fixtures in the United States are set to commence in three weeks. Matches against Manchester City, DC United, and Chelsea will provide a stern test for the squad. As it stands, Scott Bain will be the man between the posts, unless the club swiftly secures a new goalkeeper.

The transfer window remains open well into the start of the new season, with approximately four SPFL matches taking place before it closes. This overlap creates a delicate balancing act for Celtic. The danger lies in delaying new signings, which could result in the team being underprepared for the early league fixtures.

While there is no immediate cause for alarm, it is crucial for Celtic to act efficiently. The need for a new goalkeeper is urgent, as the ideal scenario would see a new signing integrated and ready for the first match of the season at the end of July or the beginning of August.

Scott Bain, despite his service to the club, is widely regarded as insufficient for the role of first-choice goalkeeper. Nevertheless, he may feature in pre-season matches while the search continues. His involvement will provide interim cover, but the goalkeeping situation requires a long-term solution.

The coming weeks will be telling.