OPINION
One of the main Celtic transfer stories heading into this summer will be the future of on-loan goalkeeper Scott Bain.
The Dundee United stopper joined the Hoops temporarily in January after number one Craig Gordon suffered a serious knee injury, and the 26-year-old has impressed during his time at Parkhead.
While Bain was initially playing second fiddle to Dorus de Vries, a terrible error from the Dutchman in the Europa League saw the Scot elevated to the number one spot.
Since then he has turned out twice for Celtic, with his first cap coming in the Old Firm derby against Rangers, a game in which he made a brilliant save to deny Alfredo Morelos and secure three points for the Hoops.
He then started in Celtic’s 0-0 draw against Motherwell and looked assured between the sticks once again for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
There has been much talk about Celtic trying to sign him this summer, with Bain’s contract at Dundee coming to an end at the conclusion of the season.
The most conclusive statement from the player himself has come on Thursday, with Bain saying, as quoted by the Scottish Sun. “I would love to be here. I’ve loved every minute of being at this club and the fans have been fantastic with me. Here I can reach my potential with the staff and the players I train with every day.
“I would like it to be here as this club has got everything for me to improve, I’d love to stay here and if I continue to play well then it stands me in good stead. I’d rather get it done sooner than later but it’s not a priority right now, it’s just a priority to play well and do well for this club.”
It is pretty clear to see that Bain is keen on signing a permanent deal with the club, and Peter Lawwell and the hierarchy must recognise that this is a good move for the club as well.
Bain is just 26 years old, far younger than the club’s other choices in goal, and has shown what he can do with his two solid displays.
A free transfer means that this is a relatively risk-free move for the club, if Bain does somehow fail to live up to expectations as a permanent signing.
His comments make this one a complete open goal for the Hoops, and they would be fools to miss out on such an opportunity.