Celtic face competition from Liverpool to sign Alex McCarthy

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. The 34-year-old started the 0-0 first leg draw against West Brom yesterday in the Championship Play-Off Semi Final. However, the goalie’s contract is up at the end of the campaign.

Celtic are in the market for a new goalkeeper with Joe Hart’s impending retirement and will see merit in bringing in an experienced goalkeeper to fill the void that will be left by Hart’s departure.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Celtic are keen on the player as Brendan Rodgers is an admirer due to his abilities with the ball at his feet.

The profile of McCarthy means that other teams will compete for his signature with Liverpool and Newcastle interested in bringing him in as a back up goalie in the close season. Both teams see a homegrown talent as a valuable asset and would likely pay McCarthy handsomely to sit on their benches. Celtic could, however, offer the player the opportunity to compete for trophies and play in Europe – something that he has been unable to do so far.

McCarthy’s performances for Southampton were such that he ousted Fraser Forster from the Saints first team, which led to Forster returning to Celtic on a loan deal. Although, under Russell Martin, McCarthy has become a backup option himself but injuries have meant he’s started games recently. Hopefully, Forster and Hart can help Celtic acquire McCarthy, who would prove to be an excellent signing on paper.