Why Celtic Should Sign Scott Bain On A Permanent Deal
Celtic are pondering over the possibility of signing on-loan goalkeeper Scott Bain on a permanent deal, according to a report from the Daily Record.
The 26-year-old shot-stopper moved to the Parkhead in the January transfer window earlier this year from Dundee FC and has managed to impress one and all with his recent performances between the sticks, prompting Brendan Rodgers’ side to consider signing him on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
Injuries to first-choice goalie Craig Gordon and deputy Dorus de Vries saw Bain, the third-choice for Celtic, make his debut in a high-pressure clash against arch-rivals Rangers at the Ibrox Stadium. Things did not start well for the 26-year-old as he had to pick the ball out of the net just three minutes into the game when Josh Windass found the target.
However, Bain recovered from the difficult start and went on to make a vital contribution to help the Hoops to a 3-2 win, after they went a man down as Jozo Simunovic was sent off.
Following his debut against the Gers, Bain has gone on to play two more games for the Bhoys in the Scottish Premiership – against Motherwell and Ross County, and has come away with clean sheets in both the games, making a strong impression on the manager.
While Gordon remains the undisputed No.1 at the Parkhead when fit, the fact that he is 35 years old will not be lost on the manager. His backup, De Vries, turned 37 towards the end of the last year, which should be a concern for manager Rodgers, despite the Dutchman doing a decent job when called upon.
Here’s where signing Bain on a permanent contract makes total sense for the Hoops. The goalkeeper is just 26-years-old and has his best years way ahead of him. He may not be ready to replace Gordon as the No.1 immediately but surely, he has proven that he can be a more than a handy backup to the Scottish international. When the time comes for him to move on, say, in a couple years of time, Bain will be ready to step up.
The Edinburgh-born stopper will be out of contract with Dundee FC at the end of the season. So far in his short time with the Hoops, he has managed to win the trust of the manager, with Rodgers praising him and his character in the media.
A promising talent who has done all the right things so far in his short stint at the Parkhead, Bain may not be a marquee signing but would prove to be a handy addition to the Celtic squad, and for free. Go for it, Rodgers.