If Asmir Begovic is the extent of Celtic’s goalkeeper interest thus far, then the bar has been set pretty low…by the SMSM

Look, I know the transfer window hasn’t even opened yet, and the few rumours that are flying around aren’t exactly awe inspiring.

So really, I should be holding fire on this, and after reading today’s article in the Record on Asmir Begovic, I can see it reveals absolutely nothing about a potential move to Celtic.

This morning’s story, by Alan Galindo, is actually a complete fabrication.

The headline sucks you in by saying this:

Asmir Begovic in direct Celtic transfer response as keeper put on the spot over Parkhead move

Now, I’m guessing Galindo must be desperate to secure clicks for his employers, but this story is just complete bollocks.

Galindo references a conversation between Begovic and Andy Goldstein on Talksport.

I’ve written plenty of articles over the course of the season stating exactly what I think of Talksport, and the so called pundits involved in it.

Jamie O’Hara, and Jason Cundy, are just two names that come to mind.

But let’s be very clear here, Asmir Begovic does NOT give a direct transfer response in relation to any move to Parkhead.

So Galindo has drawn you in to an article that reveals the square root of f*** all, when it comes to whether Begovic will be moving to Celtic or not.

Here’s where the big reveal was supposed to happen:

Asked if he would prefer to stay south or the border or play north next term, Begovic continued: “I am not going to answer all those questions. Let’s see what happens. I will listen to different people and obviously see how the market shapes up and take it from there and decide what’s best for me and my family.”

Goldstein then joked: “Just cough if it is down south.” Begovic replied: “I will smile instead.”

And that’s it.

We don’t even know if Begovic “smiled instead”.

After reading this, I can only assume one of two things are going on here.

Firstly, the Record is attempting to set the bar really low when it comes to a replacement for Joe Hart.

Or secondly, this really is the extent of Celtic’s goalkeeping search thus far.

I sincerely doubt it is the latter.

Because if this was true, then to me, and I’m sure any of you readers out there, the idea of signing Begovic would be patently absurd.

Especially, when there are many better options out there at the moment.

Some of whom I mentioned in yesterday’s article.

Yes, I know our board has shown a serious lack of ambition in the past when it comes to transfers, and this type of signing would fit perfectly with their modus operandi, but even they couldn’t be considering a move like this seriously.

Could they?

Don’t get me wrong, Begovic has vast experience.

He’s played for some big clubs down south, such as Chelsea, Everton, and Stoke City.

Okay, Stoke isn’t big, but the other two are.

But it’s his age that is the problem.

He’ll be 37 on the 20th of this month.

Would we seriously be considering replacing a 37 year old goalkeeper who just retired…….with 37 year old Asmir Begovic?

Again, I know, with our board anything can happen.

But I sincerely doubt Brendan Rodgers would agree with, or sanction a move like that.

Especially when the likes of David de Gea is out there for free.

It just doesn’t add up.

So I’m going to call it as I see it, this is the SMSM trying their best to make a very unlikely move, well, seem likely.

In tandem with the fact they think they’ve just dropped a bombshell by saying that Caoimhin Kelleher is the subject of a £20 million offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Thus pricing Celtic out of the race to sign him.

The exact kind of doom and gloom they want to ensure Celtic fans are picking up on.

Look, I’ve stated it already, I don’t think Kelleher is realistic move for us.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see him come to the club.

But his asking price is way beyond what we could offer, or would even be willing to offer.

And he sure as hell wouldn’t be happy with what we’d be offering on the wages front.

So, I just don’t see it happening.

Not unless the club is going to change both it’s signing policy, and it’s wage structure in one go.

Which is highly unlikely.

Now, David de Gea, that’s a completely different story.

He’s been without a club since last July.

At this point in time, he’ll be looking for a way back into the game.

Considering the excellent career he had with Manchester United up until his departure last year, I find it strange that nobody snapped him up.

He was only 32 when he left.

So, it’s a bit of a strange one.

It could also be something we’ve looked at already, and it could be as simple as we didn’t like what we saw, and moved on.

I guess there has to be a reason he’s still without a club.

However, just bear in mind that Craig Gordon had been two years out of the game when Celtic decided to bring him in due to consistent knee problems.

And that turned our to be a very shrewd move indeed.

We got 6 great years out of Gordon after that.

So never say never.

When it comes to Joe Hart, there’s a big pair of boots to be filled.

I certainly don’t think Asmir Begovic would be capable of that.

And I’m also sure Celtic are aiming higher than that.

We just have to when it comes to this position.

As we do not want a repeat of Vasilas Barkas, do we?

Didn’t think so.