Tosh McKinlay claims ‘tinkering’ will begin at Celtic this summer in the search for a goalkeeper.
The former Celtics star is now a member of manager Brendan Rodgers’ scouting squad, as the club looks to add to its roster following a successful season. Joe Hart’s retirement has necessitated the search for a new number one, while Celtic are attempting to convert Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo’s loan deals into permanent contracts.
Finding a new goalkeeper won’t be easy but outside that, it won’t be a major summer overhaul at the Premiership champions. He told the Daily Record: “I’m looking forward to the new season. Obviously we’re coming off the back of another Double so everything is on the up and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.
“We’ll be looking to freshen it up. It’s still to be decided [what is needed]. I’m obviously part of the scouting department and we’ve been working over the summer to see what the manager thinks about what he needs to bring in. There will be a bit of tinkering. You do need to freshen it up every couple of years so I do think the manager will look to bring in a few this summer. When you play for Celtic it’s about competition for places. There must always be someone there ready to take your jersey.
“At this moment in time we definitely need a goalie with Joe Hart leaving, so the No1 spot is up for grabs. But it’s all about competition at Celtic Park and you can never rest on your laurels.
“You have to make sure you do the business, so that that guy coming in trying to take your jersey doesn’t get it. Joe was a big presence in the changing room. He had been over the course – 75 England caps tells you that – and so it was a great coup for us to sign him in the first place. Now he’s retired and he’s left big gloves and big boots to fill.
“Joe is exactly the type of character you need if you’re going to go course and distance in a title race. We were wondering how we were going to fill Scott Brown’s shoes but then Callum McGregor stepped up. It’s going to be important that we get a goalkeeper now who has big stature and a big presence but also a big influence in the changing room.”