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The Hoops have sought a new keeper since January.
Reports suggest that the Celtics may want to acquire Newcastle United custodian Martin Dubravka during the summer since recent acquisitions by the Magpies might relegate their veteran player to the hierarchy.
Dubravka joined Newcastle in January 2018 and served as their primary custodian until Nick Pope’s acquisition from Burnley in 2022. He has intermittently participated in the first team since then, including a loan period at Manchester United; nevertheless, after making 191 appearances for the club, his tenure may conclude if Newcastle opts to transfer him, with the Hoops expressing interest.
How could Dubravka arrive at Celtic?
The Newcastle Chronicle story indicates that Dubravka has just signed a new contract at St. James’ Park; nevertheless, this has not deterred the Hoops from expressing ongoing interest in the Slovakian goalkeeper, who was described as ‘sensational‘ for receiving the Save of the Month award in December.
Brendan Rodgers has secured experienced custodian Kasper Schmeichel for an additional season; nonetheless, the club continues to evaluate Dubravka, since Champions League participation is virtually certain for the following season, barring an improbable collapse in the Scottish Premiership.
Newcastle is exploring alternative goalkeeping options to potentially replace Dubravka and Pope for the long term. Burnley’s James Trafford is under consideration after his record-breaking Championship season, and Aaron Ramsdale is also being targeted following his relegation to the second tier with Southampton.
If Trafford is acquired for the speculated £30 million amount sought by Burnley, Dubravka’s position within the team would likely be altered during the pre-season, perhaps relegating him to fourth-choice behind a new custodian, Pope, and last summer’s acquisition, Odysseas Vlachodimos.
By securing an agreement with Dubravka, Newcastle can now demand a price for his services rather than face the possibility of a free transfer.
Celtic released Joe Hart following his retirement from football during the summer and chose to acquire Schmeichel, who secured the FA Cup under Rodgers during his tenure at Leicester City, as his successor. However, at 37, the Dane has just one year remaining, while Dubravka, although being 36, might serve as a viable candidate for the goalkeeping position.
The Odds on Dubravka Have Dropped
Despite the transfer rumours surrounding Dubravka and Celtic, recent reports suggest the move isn’t a sensible one for Rodgers and the Hoops. While there aren’t official odds on Dubravka’s potential move to the SPL, like you’d find at Gambling.com, we can hypothetically suggest that his probability of moving to Celtic Park is shortening.
Celtic has previously been associated with Dubravka. However, it occurred last summer, prior to their successful acquisition of Schmeichel.
Given that Schmeichel and Sinisalo are already at the club, it would be illogical for Celtic to pursue the acquisition of Dubravka. The Slovakian is an unequivocally adept custodian.
However, Dubravka possesses a profile that is very akin to Schmeichel’s. An experienced alternative that would not serve as a long-term answer for the Hoops. Celtic does not require that at this juncture.
A transfer for Dubravka seems illogical for Celtic. The new transfer update should not astonish anyone.
Sinisalo Proving His Worth
If Celtic goalkeeper rumours needed confirmation, Schmeichel’s injury has allowed Sinisalo to prove his worth as Celtic head towards another Scottish title in their No.1 goalkeeper’s absence.
Schmeichel, 38, who has made 46 appearances for Celtic this season, sustained the injury during Denmark’s Nations League quarter-final second-leg defeat to Portugal at the end of March. The Danish captain, with 81 caps, played a role in the 5-2 defeat, which resulted in the Portuguese advancing 5-3 on aggregate.
In response to enquiries over the anticipated five-to-six-week absence, Rodgers said Celtic TV: “This is an issue we will assess daily, but the timeline provided to us was approximately that duration.”
In the three games Sinisalo has stepped up to replace Schmeichel between the sticks, he’s allowed just two goals, and should be confident as The Bhoys head into the Scottish Cup semi-finals. He received some slack for allowing the lone goal in a recent defeat to St. Johnstone, but allowing two goals in three games isn’t a cause for concern.
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