According to quotes from Celtic Football Club in the media they have turned down a bid for goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

According to news on the BBC Celtic have turned down flat a bid from Saints for England goalkeeper Fraser Forster, reports have put this bid at £7.5 million but the Scottish club have stated that the offer is far from that figure and describe it as derisory.

Celtic signed the keeper from Newcastle two years ago for £2 million and although they are making the right noises about not wanting to sell etc they recently signed former Sunderland and Hearts keeper Craig Gordon on a two year deal to add to their goalkeeping roster and it could be they will look to cash in.

The problem Celtic have is that in terms of league football they have no real competition and with Forster looking to try and make his way up the pecking order in the England squad he needs to be playing a lot better standard than the Scottish Premier league, a few games in the early rounds of the Champions League in a season is not enough.

With crowds at Celtic not what they where since Rangers being demoted down the leagues, money is also a factor and the Glasgow club know they are not in a strong position to hang on to their better players either in terms of finance or standard of football on offer, Celtic fans won't like to hear that but it is the reality of the situation.

To offer a figure far lower than the asking price is usual opening transfer negotiation fare, now we will see how serious Saints are and whether they will go back and come to an agreement.

Goalkeeper is not a position that Saints are desperate to fill, Artur Boruc had a fine season last year, yes there is a problem with a back up to Boruc, but if Forster arrives it could see Boruc depart and then Saints would be back to square one again.

Ideally Paulo Gazzaniga would go out on loan and perhaps Saints would get in a decent Premier standard keeper willing to sit on the bench in the twilight of their career, however I would not think either Boruc or Forster will be prepared to play second fiddle to one another so if Forster goes I would not expect Boruc to be here past January.

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slynch added 16:18 - Jul 22 Gazza has got fantastic ability to distribute the ball straight upfront, bypassing MF and plonking straight in the path of a forward. Pochettino failed to capitalize on that forcing him to bowl the ball out to a back even if there was 2 people marking him. May be Ronko can incorporate that in strategy. I saw a lot of that being practiced halftime, at Swindon. Armed with that and the support of the crowd I think he can progress.

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SaintNick added 16:46 - Jul 22 I agree Gazza has the ability, he needs a spell on laon this season out of the firing line so he can come back with confidence, the crowd have definately affected him, even when he has put in good displays they have just been waiting to crucify him the moment he doesnt come for a ball they think he should have
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Zambucco added 17:42 - Jul 22 Funnily enough for the first time yesterday, I actually didn't have that much faith in him. He made a couple of howlers when under no pressure. I could see what the detractors were saying. However in the past I've seen enough to confirm he does have talent, he just needs a good run to boost his confidence. Adding that Boruc has also been known to commit a few howlers! Finally I think Forster would be an amazing signing, just his presence and sheer size will inspire confidence in the defence. Plus on top of that he's a pretty handy keeper! It's looking Orange COYR!

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Celt added 18:36 - Jul 22 Sorry to burst your bubble guys, but lack of competition? When was the last time you played in the Champions League last 16? Or the CL at all? 750,000? Double that with a 20% sell on clause and you might be considered. Btw rangrs were never 'demoted' they were liquidated owing the taxman and the National Health Service millions, not to forget millions oewd to over 270 Companies large and small, some who went under.

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Celt added 18:38 - Jul 22 Ps. All the best for next season.
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1970 added 21:10 - Jul 22 The problem with Gazza is his positioning he has no idea,he will definitely have to be loaned out and make mistakes else where,Boruc is in his last year is he not,he wont stay if that's the case i should image we're only going to spend a small amount on a keeper judging by the comments bout foster but Mark Bunn at Norwich would a good shout for a couple of mill coyr.
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saintmark1976 added 21:12 - Jul 22 I really am getting a little irritated with all these "Saints interested in blah blah blah" stories now. It is all beginning to sound and appear a bit amateurish. Quite simply, in my opinion it is time for the board to put their money where their mouth is and spend some proper money. Get the deals done and move on. Alternatively just admit that they are not going to spend the money required and accept that the aim is just to avoid relegation next season by using what will be left of the squad plus academy players. At least then we would all know where we stand.

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