That old question should be answered quite decisively by the joyous celebrations that accompanied the announcement of yet another Scottish Premiership title last Wednesday, with Brendan Rodgers’ club securing it in style with a 5-0 thumping of Kilmarnock.
Those Celtic smiles were based as much in relief as in excitement, with retiring goalkeeper Joe Hart front and centre. The team had been run very close by arch rivals Rangers, making this season’s title fight a true one-horse race rather than the annual one-horse cruise.
In the Scottish Cup final, Hart was playing his last club match against Celtic’s Old Firm rivals. The green-and-white supporters erected a large tifo in his honour, and Hart was clearly distraught.
Celtic need a goalkeeper to replace Joe Hart
With a new beginning approaching after nearly ten years at RKC Waalwijk, his prospective Parkhead replacement is preparing for a few tears of his own.
The weekend saw RKC fall short against PSV Eindhoven, the Eredivisie champions, 3-1. However, Vaessen made sure that his favourite club’s top-flight place would remain secure for at least another year after relegation rivals Excelsior also lost against Feyenoord.
Vaessen signs off in style, saying, “There will be some tears when I’m on holiday.” His contract expires in July.
“It was one of the most mentally taxing seasons of my career. I am rather pleased with the outcome. After then, chaos broke out in the dressing room and on the pitch room,” the long-serving stopper adds, via Omroep Brabant.
I’m glad I decided to remain another year in the summer of last year. RKC is going to stay in the Eredivisie. That’s the reason each of us did it. And with lots of young boys and a new squad.
“A new club is now being sought after, but I’m not working on that just yet.”
Goalkeeper Vaessen, 28, is one of the candidates vying to take over for Hart. He is a leader, a fan favourite, and a warrior as well. After getting knocked out against Ajax earlier in the season, he now sports a headgear akin to that of Petr Cech.
Brendan Rodgers’ side eyeing numerous goalkeepers
As far as HITC is aware, Celtic made Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool their top target at the beginning of 2024. Although Kelleher is expensive—previously estimated to be worth about £15 million—the Glasgow giants are also keeping an eye on Ugurcan Cakir, the captain of Trabzonspor, and recent reports have linked him to Aston Villa rookie Viljami Sinisalo.
“Ugurcan is our sibling.” He is an excellent player for Trabzonspor. A Spor is informed by Trabzonspor president Ertogrul Dogan that his team is supposedly closing in on Rangers players Borna Barisic and John Lundstram. “A real Trabzonspor player,” Dogan says. His team’s interests are the only thing on his mind, no matter what.
The player has the desire to play in Europe, of course. We stated that, should a significant offer comes, we will let him go.
“Although there is no official offer at the moment, it is true that some clubs have contacted us. Ugurcan has such a dream in his mind and we welcome it. It would be better to talk after an official offer comes.”
