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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Liverpool back-up named as 'ideal' Celtic replacement for Joe Hart

Caoimhin Kelleher could be the "ideal" fit to replace Joe Hart at Celtic. 

That's according to former Parkhead goalkeeper Packie Bonner.

The Irishman reckons his old club needs a new, younger keeper coming through to rival Hart between the sticks.

Hart was sent off at the weekend versus Livingston and hasn't enjoyed the greatest of starts to the season on a personal note, making some high-profile errors.

Scott Bain replaced Hart off the bench on Saturday, which further highlighted Celtic's need to sign another goalie.

Liverpool back-up Kelleher is one that has been mooted for some time, with Brendan Rodgers seemingly very keen on the 24-year-old.

And Bonner believes the Irish goalkeeper would be a good option for his former side.

He told BBC Sportsound at the weekend: “They do need, I think, a young goalkeeper coming through the system. I don’t see it. They’ve gone with Scott Bain today. They’ve got [Ben] Siegrist there who doesn’t seem to be pushing his way through to even become number two.

“So that’s that’s a kind of a worry and they let Conor Hazard go down to England. I think that’s an area where they should have a number three really pushing through. A young guy.

“There was talk about [Caoimhin] Kelleher coming up from from Liverpool. I don’t know if Liverpool will let him go from that point of view.

“Because he fits their bill and that would have been an ideal situation to see. Could he come in and Joe Hart then might have to phase out and become a support goalkeeper to him? But at the moment I think he’s number one.”

Meanwhile, Jota's move from Celtic to Saudi Arabia is reportedly set for investigation.

Reports in the Middle East claim that Al-Ittihad will take an internal look into the £25m transfer.

The Portuguese winger moved from the Scottish champions to the Saudi Pro League in June.

The life-changing, mega-money move hasn't worked out for the 24-year-old though. 

He was left out of Al-Ittihad's first-team squad for the domestic campaign ahead and is now stuck with the prospect of sitting on the sidelines, playing no football until January. 

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