Some Celtic fans are absolutely delighted after hearing Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s comments about their goalkeeper Fraser Forster recently.
Forster has been very important for the Hoops this season and was instrumental in their capture of the Scottish League Cup this past weekend. He saved an Alfredo Morelos penalty in the second half to keep the game scoreless, as a Christopher Jullien strike won Celtic the final (BBC).
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl was asked about whether the club could recall Forster, but the Austrian declined by saying that the Englishman will stay at Parkhead until the end of the season.
Celtic fans: Should the club sign Forster permanently?
Yes, he's a monster!
He's too expensive
This has left many Celtic fans happy and they are delighted to have the former England international at Parkhead for longer, with one even suggesting that the club should not tell talkSPORT host Adrian Durham after his latest on-air outburst (via Twitter).
better not tell Adrian Durham…
— Blue Watch (@bringbackLB) December 12, 2019
We definitely need to sign the big man on a permanent deal in sure he would even take a pay cut to play for us lol
— Lee (@Lee34180722) December 12, 2019
Must have world class keepers at Southampton good for them
— Celtic Da (@Celtic67Champs) December 12, 2019
Go for it Celtic
— Helen McCallum (@HMccallum_75) December 12, 2019
He’s worth it , but will we pay those wages ?
— Mark Brennan (@Mark7171L) December 12, 2019
Ralf knows better hed get his pan knocked clean in if he did
— barry (@barryfa30178774) December 12, 2019
Get the big man back home to Celtic
— John Williams (@GSRHighlander) December 12, 2019
This is Forster’s second stint at Parkhead and the first one had ended when he had joined Southampton in the summer of 2014 for a fee of £10million.
In his ongoing stint at Celtic, Forster has been very impressive under Neil Lennon. The Englishman has played 20 times in all competitions for the club, keeping nine clean sheets and conceding only 13 goals. Seven of those nine clean sheets have come in the Premiership.
In Celtic’s Europa League game against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico, Forster had impressed. He made as many as six saves, helping his side to an impressive 2-1 win over the Italian giants away from home.
This is in stark contrast to how things were for him last season. At the St.Mary’s Stadium, Forster had played only four games last season. Only one of them came in the Premier League and three of them came for the Under-23s side in the Premier League 2.
What do we think?
Forster, who is valued at £7.2 million (Transfermarkt), has clearly established himself a regular at Celtic Park. His impressive performances have reminded many of his younger days and of how good he was in his initial stint – before he went back to England. Neil Lennon’s side have to make sure that they sign him on a permanent basis, but Southampton may not ask for less than a potential record fee for the Hoops.